Marco Cannavò

This study examined the relationship between individual and contextual factors that promote pro-environmental behaviors by integrating insights from previous research. Among 380 Italian university students, a positive association was found between autonomous motivation and intrinsic life aspirations. Controlled motivation was positively related to a perceived controlling governing style and extrinsic life aspirations but negatively associated with intrinsic aspirations. Pro-environmental behaviors were positively linked to autonomous motivation and negatively to extrinsic life aspirations. An indirect association was observed between intrinsic life aspirations and pro-environmental behaviors via autonomous motivation. Overall, these findings reinforce prior research and underscore the central role of life aspirations in fostering pro-environmental behaviors. The study highlights the importance of individual motivation and aspirations in promoting environmentally conscious action, emphasizing the need to encourage values that support collective well-being.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological condition that affects several domains of individuals’ lives, making those affected particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. The visible nature of many MS symptoms may increase self-consciousness, thereby fostering feelings of shame and perceived stigma. Previous research has shown that self-related perceptions are shaped by early interpersonal relationships, rendering emotional trauma particularly relevant in this context. The present study sought to test whether an association between emotional abuse and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress) in individuals with MS would be mediated by internalized shame and perceived stigma. A total of 171 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of MS (85% women; M = 30.04, SD = 10.01) were recruited and completed a set of validated questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the proposed model. Significant paths emerged from emotional abuse to internalized shame and from emotional abuse to internalized shame. In addition, internalized shame was significantly associated with psychological distress, and a further significant path was observed from perceived stigma to psychological distress. Moreover, significant indirect effects were found from emotional abuse to psychological distress via internalized shame and via perceived stigma.

Young generations are often identified as key actors in promoting sustainability. However, some studies suggest that adolescents may engage in pro-environmental behaviors to a lesser extent than other age groups. The literature on socialization provides useful insights into the factors that may facilitate or hinder these practices, examining how young people develop environmental attitudes and values within their social contexts. This systematic review explores the role of parents and peers in relation to adolescents’ pro-environmental behaviors. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 23 studies were analyzed, mostly conducted in Western contexts, investigating family dynamics, parental values, social norms, and observational learning processes. The findings highlight the involvement of parents and peers in environmental socialization processes, suggesting that both groups may play a role in adolescents’ sustainable practices. The review also identifies some limitations in existing research and suggests possible directions for future studies.

Eating disorders (EDs) are particularly prevalent among young adult females. Previous research has shown that childhood trauma and reduced mentalizing abilities are involved in ED symptoms. The current study was aimed at testing the mediating effects of failures in mentalizing on the relationship between childhood trauma and ED risk among young adult females. The sample consisted of 409 Caucasian young adult females, aged between 18 and 30 years old ( M = 23.45, SD = 2.76). The reported mean body mass index was within the normal range ( M = 22.62; SD = 4.35). Self-report instruments were administered to assess the variables of interest. Structural equation modeling revealed that childhood trauma predicted increased failures in mentalizing ( β = .36) and ED risk ( β = .30), that failures in mentalizing predicted an increased ED risk ( β = .35), and that the positive association between childhood trauma and ED risk was partially mediated by failures in mentalizing (indirect effect: β = .13). These findings suggest that ED symptoms might result from unprocessed and painful feelings embedded in child abuse and neglect. Clinical interventions focused at improving mentalizing abilities might reduce the ED risk among young adult females who have been exposed to childhood trauma.

Background/Objectives: Pregnancy is a critical period marked by significant transformations that can trigger or exacerbate eating disorder symptoms. Childhood emotional maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, is a known risk factor for disordered eating, yet its specific impact during pregnancy remains unexplored. For this reason, this study aimed to examine the link between childhood emotional maltreatment and eating disorder symptoms in pregnant women, also focusing on the potential mediating and moderating variables involved in this association. Specifically, this study explored the mediating role of prenatal emotional distress, whereas prenatal social support was investigated as a protective factor able to moderate the effects of past trauma on disordered eating during this sensitive period. Methods: Participants were 272 Italian pregnant women (aged 18–48, M_age = 31.21, SD = 4.95) who were asked to respond to four self-report instruments: Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form; Eating Disorder Examination—Questionnaire Short; Perinatal Assessment of Maternal Affectivity; and Maternity Social Support Scale. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that prenatal emotional distress totally mediated the association between childhood emotional maltreatment and eating disorder symptoms in pregnant women (β = 0.20; SE = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.33; p < 0.001). Moreover, moderation analysis showed that prenatal social support only moderated the direct link between childhood emotional maltreatment and disordered eating, so higher levels of childhood emotional maltreatment were predictive of higher levels of eating disorder symptoms only among pregnant women with low levels of prenatal social support (b = 0.17; SE = 0.06; t = 2.73; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.30; p < 0.01). The limitations and clinical implications are discussed.

Accumulating evidence, as outlined by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), highlights the crucial role of emotion dysregulation and basic psychological needs in shaping various psychological outcomes. Parental psychological control may play a key role in understanding how these processes develop within the family context. This study aims to examine the intergenerational transmission of basic psychological needs and emotion dysregulation from parents to adolescents, focusing on the indirect association of parental psychological control within this relationship. 210 Italian families living in the same household, consisting of biological parents and one adolescent (55% female) aged between 13 and 18 years old (M = 15.71, SD = 1.76) participated in the study. The results showed that both mothers' and fathers' higher emotion dysregulation were related to their own higher levels of psychological control, while higher maternal need frustration was related to higher perceptions of parental psychological control in adolescents. In turn, higher perceptions of parental psychological control in adolescents were related to adolescents' higher need frustration and emotion dysregulation. Furthermore, higher maternal emotion dysregulation was linked to higher adolescent emotion dysregulation, and higher paternal need frustration was linked to higher adolescent need frustration. These findings are explored in the context of SDT and highlight the significance of both emotion regulation ability and needs in shaping adolescent adjustment.

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.