Structural stigma and bisexual + people: Effects of the rejection of the Zan Bill in Italy on minority stress and mental health

Bisexual + people experience severe forms of structural stigma that are associated to negative mental health outcomes. In order to eradicate hate crimes against LGBTQIAPK + people, on the 4th of November 2020, the Italian deputy Alessandro Zan proposed a Bill entitled “Measures to prevent and combat discrimination and violence on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability” (also known as “Zan Bill”). On October 27, 2021, the Italian Senate silenced the Bill. This study aimed to explore whether a worsening in mental health before and after the Zan Bill’s rejection occurred among bisexual + people. Data from 299 Italian bisexual + people after the Zan Bill’s rejection were compared with data on the same measures from 381 Italian bisexual + people before the Zan Bill’s rejection. We observed a worsening in the levels of discrimination, anticipated and internalized binegativity, resilience, anxiety, and depression after the rejection of the Zan Bill. Outness remained unchanged in the two groups. Results suggested that the rejection of the Zan Bill has had a strong effect on the well-being of Italian bisexual + people

Neuropsychiatric Burden in Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease is a disorder that results in motor, cognitive, and psychiatric problems. The symptoms often take different forms and the presence of disturbances of the psychic sphere reduces patients' autonomy and quality of life, also impacting patients' social life. It is estimated that a prevalence between 33% and 76% of the main psychiatric syndromes may arise in different phases of the disease, often in atypical form, even 20 years before the onset of chorea and dementia. We present a narrative review of the literature describing the main psychopathological patterns that may be found in Huntington's disease, searching for a related article in the main database sources (Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Medscape). Psychiatric conditions were classified into two main categories: affective and nonaffective disorders/symptoms; and anxiety and neuropsychiatric features such as apathy and irritability. Though the literature is extensive, it is not always convergent, probably due to the high heterogeneity of methods used. We summarize main papers for pathology and sample size, in order to present a synoptic vision of the argument. Since the association between Huntington's disease and psychiatric symptoms was demonstrated, we argue that the prevalent and more invalidating psychiatric components should be recognized as early as possible during the disease course in order to best address psychopharmacological therapy, improve quality of life, and also reduce burden on caregivers

Workshop on the design and use of clinical trials with multiple endpoints, with a focus on prevention of RSV

A meeting held in Lisbon, Portugal, in February 2023 focused on critical aspects of clinical trial design for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preventative therapies. The meeting addressed two primary areas: enhancing the efficiency and success of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for RSV preventative therapies and designing RCTs to better inform post-licensure decision-making. Topics included the selection of primary endpoints, innovative approaches to incorporating multiple endpoints and historical data, and the challenges and benefits of sequential trial designs. The discussion also touched on meta-regression models for obtaining more robust, context-specific estimates of vaccine efficacy. Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of balancing efficiency and robustness in RSV vaccine trial design, while recognizing the need for further discussions involving regulatory and advisory bodies

OBJECTIFICATION AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS IN MEN

Objective: Objectification theory (Fredrickson, Roberts, 1997) posits that inWestern cultures women are frequently sexually objectified and are subsequently led to internalize an observer’s perspective upon their bodies, which promotes negative emotions about one’s own body, reduces flow experiences, and reduces awareness of internal bodily states. These negative experiences can in turn contribute to the risk for depression, eating disorders and sexual dysfunction. Although the literature regarding the impact of objectification experiences on women is large, the evidence supporting objectification theory in men, in particular regarding sexual dysfunction, is still limited. Considering the possible implications for clinical practice, the aim of the present study is to test the validity of objectification theory in heterosexual men, and its implications in terms of sexual functioning and quality of sexual life. Methods: Participants were recruited through word of mouth and via advertisements posted in public places. Participants completed a demographic information sheet and self-report survey instruments, which were counterbalanced in their order to reduce order effects. In particular, we assessed self-surveillance, self-monitoring during sexual activity, exposure to pornography, and erectile dysfunction and sexual quality. 68 men participated to the survey, with a mean age of 28,29 years (range: 19–44). Results: Using a series of multiple hierarchical regressions, we studied the effects of self-surveillance, body shame, self-surveillance during sexual activity, exposure to pornography, on erectile dysfunctions and sexual quality of life in heterosexual males. Results indicate that body shame and self-surveillance are significantly connected to erectile dysfunctions and quality of sexual life. Conclusion: Clinical implications for treatment and prevention are discussed. Policy of full disclosure: Non

Individual Differences in Cognitive Emotion Regulation: Implications for Subjective and Psychological Well-Being

Although research has extensively examined the link between cognitive emotion regulation and psychopathological symptoms, scant attention has been given to the relationship between dispositional use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies and individuals\u2019 positive functioning. In a cross-sectional study on 470 adults, we examined whether individual differences in the use of nine cognitive strategies were associated with subjective and psychological well-being. Results show that positive reappraisal and refocus on planning are positively related to both subjective and psychological well-being. Rumination, catastrophizing and self-blame are linked to poorer well-being, while positive refocusing, putting into perspective, and acceptance show few significant associations. These results suggest that cognitive emotion regulation strategies may be differently effective in promoting individual\u2019s well-being

FROM SEXUALLY OBJECTIFYING MEDIA EXPOSURE TO WOMEN'S SEXUAL FUNCTIONING PROBLEMS

purely physical phenomenon, but instead is influenced by the psychological, relational, and sociocultural context in which sexual activity occurs. One account that adopts a wider sociocultural perspective on women’s sexual functioning problems (SFP) is provided by objectification theory (OT), according to which one important consequence of being a woman in a culture that sexually objectifies the female body (through the mass media and male gaze) is that women gradually internalize an observer’s perspective of their self (“selfobjectification”). This way of thinking is manifested as habitual constant monitoring of the body’s appearance (“self-surveillance”) and leads to SFP through body shame and appearance anxiety. Recent research indicated that self-consciousness during sexual activity a) are predicted by body-related feeling and b) strongly predicts SFP, suggesting that the relationships between SFP, body shame and appearance anxiety, would be mediated by the level of self-consciousness that a woman experiences during sexual activity. The current study extends prior research by incorporating self-consciousness during sexual activity into the OT model, and by testing a more comprehensive model of women’s SFP (i.e., lacking interest in sex, inability to achieve orgasm, trouble achieving or maintaining an adequate lubrication). Methods: Data were analysed from 773 sexually active Italian heterosexual college women (M age = 23.9), who completed validated selfreport measures using latent variable structural equation modeling approach. Results: Sexually objectifying media exposure led to self-surveillance, which was related to body shame and appearance anxiety. The latter were related to self-consciousness during sexual activity, which in turn strongly predicts women’s SFP (i.e., it accounted for 68% of the variance). Conclusion: The study highlights the role of body-image attitudes and feeling in SFP, and suggests that OT provides a useful framework to identify predictors of women’s SFP