What makes you feel good? Well-being in a gender and mattering lens

Gender and mattering are two critical points in assessing people's well-being. If we consider that well-being derives from a condition of social justice and from contexts in which one's own value is recognized, we understand that the condition of inequality between men and women and discriminatory attitudes such as sexism represent a great enemy of well-being. Starting from these considerations, the present thesis aims to investigate the effect of gender discrimination and mattering on well-being. In order to pursue this aim, three empirical studies were conducted. that have investigated the variations in well-being based on, respectively, different cultural contexts, the effect of other psychological and demographic variables, and the effect of traumatic and extraordinary events, as the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 1 aimed to test the psychometric validity of the I COPPE scale, for the measure of well-being, through the comparison between two very different countries, such as Italy and Argentina. The results confirmed that the I COPPE scale can measure well-being in different contexts without its validity being affected by socio-cultural differences. Study 2 aimed to investigate the effects of belief in a just world, neosexism, on well-being of men and women, via mattering. In particular, it was hypothesized a model in which personal and general beliefs in a just world positively affect the dimensions of well-being. In contrast, neosexism has a negative effect on well-being, and these relationships are mediated by mattering. The results partially confirmed the mediation hypotheses, showing that the personal and general beliefs in a just world and the neosexism have affected many dimensions of well-being, through mattering. Finally Study 3 aimed to detect changes in well-being, across time during the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal study was carried out in two waves (March 2020 and May 2020) and the results showed some differences in the levels of well-being of men and women during the lockdown, were found. In conclusion the results obtained from the studies have been extensively discussed in the light of gender dynamics and mattering. Indeed, this thesis emphasizes the need, made even more urgent by the current emergency situation, that European governments will promote social fairness in general and gender equality in particular, focusing on women's mattering. Only in a country where all citizens are treated equally and valued for their abilities it is possible that a positive attitude towards others, different from oneself, develops. Only without hatred, discrimination and sexism are it possible to promote the well-being of both men and women

Training for MIS in pediatric urology: Proposition of a structured training curriculum

Abstract In Europe there are a lot of training centers for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) but a standardized MIS training program in pediatric urology doesn't exist at the moment. We performed a literature review with the last goals to propose a structured training curriculum in MIS urology for pediatric surgeons. Pediatric urologists have to obtain a valid MIS training curriculum completing the following 4 steps: (I) Theoretical part (theoretical courses, masterclass) to acquire theoretical knowledge; (II) experimental training (simulation on pelvic trainer, virtual reality simulators, animal models, 3-D ex-vivo models) to acquire basic laparoscopic skills; (III) stages in European centers of reference for pediatric MIS urology to learn all surgery aspects; (IV) personal operative experience. At the end of the training period, the trainee would be expected to perform several MIS urological procedures independently, under supervision of an expert tutor. At the end of the training program, each center will analyze the candidate training booklet and release for each applicant a certification after an exam. We think that this MIS training program in pediatric urology may assure an integrated acquisition of basic and advanced laparoscopic skills during residency training in pediatric urology. Each European country should adopt this program so as to secure a standardized technical qualification in MIS urology for all future pediatric urologists

Laparoscopic management of a newborn with a right Amyand's hernia and a left incarcerated inguinal hernia

A one month old boy presented with left incarcerated inguinal hernia. After unsuccessful manual reduction, we decided to perform laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopic examination showed a left hernia with intestinal loops that entered into the internal inguinal ring, on the right side there was an unknown patency of the peritoneal vaginal duct with the appendix completely incarcerated within the sac. On the left side, the loops were reduced with a combined technique of external manual pressure and internal pulling by forceps; the bowel was inspected, and the hernia was repaired. On the right side, the appendix was strongly adherent with the peritoneal vaginal duct, and the reduction was not possible. The appendix was dissected from the sac using a 3-mm monopolar hook and than reduced into the abdomen, then right herniorrhaphy was performed. Two days after surgery, the baby had fever and abdominal distension. He was re-operated through mini-Pfannenstiel incision and an ischemic appendix was identified and removed. Postoperative period was uneventful. In our case, laparoscopy allowed for simultaneous reduction under direct visual control, inspection of the incarcerated organ, definitive repair and incidentally discovery and treatment of the contralateral incarcerated Amyand′s hernia. In case of incarcerated appendix, appendectomy is preferable during the same procedure to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication: An Excellent Treatment of Gerd-Related Respiratory Symptoms in Children-Results of a Multicentric Study

Respiratory manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly chronic cough, are being recognized with increased frequency in children. This survey aimed to investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for treatment of GERD-related respiratory symptoms not responsive to medical therapy in neurological normal children

Ending Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Locating Men at Stake: An Ecological Approach

Interventions for ending intimate partner violence (IPV) have not usually provided integrated approaches. Legal and social policies have the duty to protect, assist and empower women and to bring offenders to justice. Men have mainly been considered in their role as perpetrators to be subjected to judicial measures, while child witnesses of violence have not been viewed as a direct target for services. Currently, there is a need for an integrated and holistic theoretical and operational model to understand IPV as gender-based violence and to intervene with the goal of ending the fragmentation of existing measures. The EU project ViDaCS—Violent Dads in Child Shoes—which worked towards the deconstruction and reconstruction of violence’s effects on child witnesses, has given us the opportunity to collect the opinions of social workers and child witnesses regarding violence. Therefore, the article describes measures to deal with IPV, proposing functional connections among different services and specific preventative initiatives. Subsequently, this study will examine intimate partner violence and provide special consideration to interventions at the individual, relational, organizational and community levels. The final goal will be to present a short set of guidelines that take into account the four levels considered by operationalizing the aforementioned ecological principles

Pyeloplasty techniques using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in pediatric patients

Abstract Hydronephrosis is the most common presentation of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. We reviewed literature, collecting data from Medline, to evaluate the current status of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach to pyeloplasty. Since the first pyeloplasty was described in 1939, several techniques has been applied to correct UPJ obstruction, but Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty is established as the gold standard, to date also in MIS technique. According to literature several studies underline the safety and effectiveness of this approach for both trans- and retro-peritoneal routes, with a success rate between 81-100% and an operative time between 90-228 min. These studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of this procedure in the management of UPJ obstruction in children. Whether better the transperitoneal, than the retroperitoneal approach is still debated. A long learning curve is needed especially in suturing and knotting

Laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation (LEVUR): A systematic review

Abstract BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is a feasible method for treating ureteral pathology with good preliminary results in the literature. In this study, we review medium term results for laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation and discuss current developments of this procedure. METHODS: Medline and Embase databases were searched using relevant key terms to identify reports of paediatric laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation (LEVUR). Literature reviews, case reports, series of 20 years) were excluded. RESULTS: Five studies were assessed, overall, 69 LEVUR were performed in children. Despite different surgical technique, in all case the technique was respected. Patient demographics, preoperative symptoms, radiological imaging, complications, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Median success rate was 96%. Complications were reported in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study is limited by the data given in the individual series: varied criteria used for patient selection and outcome as well as inconsistent pre- and post-operative imaging data precluded a meta-analysis. But it demonstrates that the laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is an effective procedure with good medium-term results. We believe that in well selected patients this procedure will become an established treatment option

The I COPPE Scale Short Form for measuring multidimensional well-being: Construct validity and reliability from US, Argentinian, and Italian large samples

The aim of this study is to present a short form of the I COPPE scale of multidimensional well‐being. We conducted two studies, which include four samples collected across three countries, namely United States, Argentina, and Italy. In the pilot study we tested during the data analysis phase whether it was feasible to reduce the full I COPPE scale by omitting the items dealing with past well‐being. Prompted by the positive results of the pilot study, we launched a final validation study with a sample of 2682 Italian people who completed the I COPPE scale short form, which is designed without items referring to past well‐being. Results from a series of confirmatory factor analyses show that the I COPPE scale short form presents acceptable levels of construct validity and reliability. Moreover, the 7‐factor correlated‐trait model proved to be the best fit for the data. We discuss advantaged of using the I COPPE scale short form along with limitations and future recommendations