Pasquale Caponnetto

Background/Objectives: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a persistent and intrusive preoccupation with a perceived defect in physical appearance, associated with significant psychosocial impairment. Individuals with BDD frequently seek aesthetic and cosmetic procedures to correct the perceived flaw, yet cosmetic treatment has traditionally been regarded as a relative contraindication in this population, often associated with unsatisfactory outcomes and symptom exacerbation. However, more recent evidence has been heterogeneous, keeping the relationship between BDD and aesthetic treatment outcomes controversial. This scoping review aimed to map the literature of the last decade on the clinical, psychological, and behavioral outcomes of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures performed on individuals with BDD. Methods: This review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and reported in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were searched for studies published between 2016 and February 2026 reporting clinical, psychological, or behavioral outcomes of aesthetic procedures (surgical or minimally invasive) in samples with a formal BDD diagnosis or a positive screening result. Study selection and data charting were performed independently by two reviewers. Results: Of 419 records identified, 17 primary studies published between 2016 and 2026 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies varied considerably in design, sample size, BDD assessment methods, aesthetic procedures, outcome measures, and follow-up duration. Several studies reported improvements in BDD-related measures, changes in screening classification, or favorable postoperative satisfaction, whereas others reported less favorable findings. Psychological and behavioral outcomes were assessed inconsistently, and broader psychiatric safety outcomes were rarely investigated. The heterogeneity of the available evidence limited direct comparisons and prevented conclusions regarding treatment effectiveness or psychological safety. Conclusions: The available evidence is limited and highly heterogeneous in study design, populations, procedures, outcome measures, and follow-up duration, and most samples were identified through screening instruments rather than diagnostic interviews. Although several studies reported postoperative improvement and satisfaction in some individuals with BDD symptoms, these findings do not establish the efficacy of aesthetic treatment for BDD and should be interpreted with caution. Future research should jointly examine preoperative BDD severity and treatment expectations as potential predictors of postoperative outcomes.

Background: Burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and impaired mentalizing are common among mental health trainees, potentially impacting well-being and quality of care. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in mitigating these issues. Incorporating such programs into postgraduate training may offer proactive support during a critical developmental stage. Objective: This study primarily aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program among psychiatry and child neuropsychiatry residents. Secondary exploratory aims included assessing preliminary changes in burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mentalizing outcomes. Methods: This single-center, non-randomized controlled pilot feasibility study included psychiatry and child neuropsychiatry residents. Participation in the intervention group was based on willingness to attend an MBSR program alongside standard institutional support services. A comparison group was identified among residents from the same departments who received standard support only. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, and participant satisfaction. Validated scales assessed burnout, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mentalizing before and after intervention. Results: Thirty-nine participants were included in the final analysis (19 in the intervention group; 20 in the control group). Feasibility outcomes indicated good acceptability and participant satisfaction. Exploratory analyses showed a modest reduction in emotional exhaustion in the intervention group compared to controls (p = 0.0487), while no significant between-group differences emerged for other outcomes. Conclusion: This pilot study supports the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an MBSR program among mental health trainees. Exploratory findings suggest possible effects on emotional exhaustion, although results should be interpreted cautiously. Larger controlled studies are needed to assess clinical effectiveness.

Background Sports can be considered an element that significantly improves psychological and physical well-being, enhancing individual abilities, especially in people with disabilities. Objective This research aims to explore the impact of wheelchair basketball on the psychological well-being of players with physical disabilities. It analyzes aspects such as self-esteem, quality of life, and coping strategies to understand how this sport influences self-perception and promotes the well-being of athletes with motor disabilities. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from February to April 2024. The sample consisted of 18 male participants aged 21–46 years (mean age = 35.89, standard deviation = 7.03) who are active players in the National Serie B Championship of wheelchair basketball. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used to present participant demographics, including education level and type of disability. Results The results revealed that regular practice of wheelchair basketball produced positive psychological effects. This sport is confirmed to be an effective tool for improving the psychological and physical well-being of people with disabilities, highlighting the complexity of individual experiences. Conclusion The research highlights the importance of considering the multifaceted nature of individual experiences, suggesting that sports, such as wheelchair basketball, can play a crucial role in promoting overall well-being. Future interventions should focus on exploring these benefits further and expanding access to such activities for people with disabilities.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the psychological comorbidity of PGD among bereaved family caregivers of palliative care cancer patients. We also examined the discriminant validity of two simple and reliable tools in correctly categorized individuals with PGD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 157 bereaved participants (77.1% females, mean age = 43.50 ± 14.04 years, mean time since the loss = 3.59 years) recruited from three palliative home care services. These participants completed the Prolonged Grief Scale (PG-13) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: The prevalence of PGD within the sample was 4.46% (i.e., = 7/157). Participants scored higher than the cut-off on the PG-13 and the HADS-D. Symptoms of PGD were positively correlated with depression levels. The ROC curve analysis showed that the HADS-D was outstanding in categorizing individuals with prolonged grief disorder from those without PGD. A HADS-D score of ≥7.5 was able to categorize participants with a sensitivity of 0.90 and a specificity of 0.73. Conclusions: Overall, these results highlight the relationship between grief and depression symptoms and their exceptional discriminant validity among correctly identified individuals with PGD.

Background The pervasive use of social media, particularly Instagram, has raised growing concerns about its potential to foster behavioral addictions that impair psychological well-being and social functioning. Objective This study aims to investigate and synthesize recent research on Instagram addiction within the domains of clinical psychology, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and treatment, with the goal of contributing both theoretical and practical advancements to the existing literature. Methods A scoping review was conducted from May 10, 2023, to October 10, 2023, to identify current diagnostic paradigms associated with Instagram addiction, investigate underexamined aspects of the phenomenon, examine correlations with related theoretical constructs and comorbidities, assess the evaluation scales currently in use, and develop a conceptual framework to navigate recent scientific discoveries. Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, PsycINFO, MDPI, APA, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Scopus. Results A total of 170 non-duplicate records were identified. Among these, 50 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and five met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. Conclusion The findings highlight the association between Instagram addiction and negative psychological outcomes such as depression, social anxiety, loneliness, academic underperformance, and body dissatisfaction. The evidence supports classifying Instagram addiction as a behavioral addiction, underscoring the need for dedicated diagnostic criteria and appropriate treatment strategies.