Adolescents who binge eat and drink: the role of emotion regulation

This cross-sectional study examined binge eating and binge drinking behaviors exploring their association with the strategies of Emotion Regulation, such as Cognitive Reappraisal (CR) and Expression Suppression (ES). The sample consisted of 1004 Italian students (395 males and 609 females) attending high school. The average age of the students was 17.9 years (SD =0.8; range: 16–21). They completed self-report measures assessing binge behaviors and Emotion Regulation strategies. No differences resulted between adolescents assuming binge behaviors and no bingers as regards CR; conversely, adolescents engaging in binge eating and in both binge behaviors reported the highest levels of ES. Furthermore, both Emotion Regulation strategies were significant predictors of binge eating. The present study suggested that binge behaviors were strongly associated with adolescent’s ability to evaluate and manage their emotions, so that adolescents may benefit from more precise and specific prevention and treatment approaches focused on training to use more adaptive and effective strategies to regulate their emotions

What does the intention to be a volunteer for a student with autism predict? the role of cognitive brain types and emotion and behavior characteristics

The study was designed to verify which cognitive brain types and behaviors in classroom predicted the intention to volunteer to become a peer buddy for a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Five hundred and sixteen adolescents attending the first grade of public high schools were enrolled. Gender-related differences were discussed according to the empathizing-systemizing theory. As expected, empathy and prosocial behavior predicted volunteering in ASD intervention. We conclude that the selection of peers as intervention agents should require more informative sources. Clinical and research implications are discussedEste estudio se diseñó para verificar qué tipos de cerebro cognitivo y comportamientos en el aula predecían la intención de ofrecerse voluntario a acompañar a un alumno con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA). Se apuntaron 516 adolescentes de primer curso de enseñanza secundaria. Se abordaron las diferencias relativas al género de acuerdo a la teoría empatía-sistematización. Según lo esperado, la empatía y el comportamiento prosocial predecían la voluntariedad para intervenir en el TEA. Se concluye que la elección de compañeros como agentes de intervención necesitaría de más fuentes de información. Se comentan las implicaciones clínicas y de investigació

Individual planning starts at school. Tools and practices promoting autonomy and supporting transition to work for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

AbstractThere is an increasing need for effective services and strategies to favor the transitionfrom school to post-school/working experience for individuals with disabilities and specificallywith autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Post-school options are still limited, andmost adults with ASD struggle in finding adequate and stable job opportunities. Thiswork analyzes the increasing number of laws issued in Italy in the last decades in orderto improve social and working inclusion. The central role of the individual educationalplanning (IEP) as part of the broader individual project is discussed. Also the potentialof pathways for transversal skills and orientation for future employment outcomes istaken into consideration. Good practices promoting autonomy and supporting transitionto work starting from school years are reviewed. The international literature showsdifferent models and tools, which could be applied to the Italian school. The COMPASSconsultancy model could favor the achievement of individualized transition IEP goals.Peer mediated intervention could improve social skills, a core weakness in ASD, thougha central element for success in the workplace. Another key element is the parental involvementin the construction of the future of their children with ASD

Classification of professional values based on motivational content: An exploratory study on Italian Adolescents

This study applies a multidimensional scaling (MSD) technique to investigate the structural validity of the Work Values Inventory for Adolescents with a sample of Italian students. The MSD results indicated the presence of two underlying orthogonal dimensions: individuality versus sociality and conservation versus exploration. Implications for future research are also discussed. © 2011 The Author(s)

Interpersonal and intrapersonal differences among adolescent nonsmokers, ex-smokers, and smokers

Background: A large body of research has traced tobacco dependence among adolescents to a series of intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. However, there are remaining questions regarding the differences on these factors related to tobacco use. Objectives: We sought to investigate intrapersonal and interpersonal differences among adolescent nonsmokers, ex-smokers, and smokers. Methods: We used data from a 3-year project designed to investigate and address tobacco dependence among 1071 students (Mage = 15.76, SD = 1.52; girls = 51.54%) who were recruited from 11 high schools. Participants, filling out a survey, provided information on tobacco use (nonsmoker, ex-smoker, and smoker), tobacco-related experiences (smoking-related risk perception, parental smoking, number of friends who smoke, resisting peer pressure to smoke), cognitive variables (metacognitive skills), and personality traits (disinhibition and impulsivity). Results: Results from a discriminant function analysis showed that smokers and ex-smokers reported more disinhibition, impulsivity, number of friends who smoke and less self-control under peer pressure to smoke compared to nonsmokers. Ex-smokers reported less metacognitive processes, more smoking-related risk perception and were less likely to have parents who smoke. Conclusions/Importance: Interventions and campaigns aimed to persuade adolescents to stop smoking should work to develop adaptive metacognitive skills and an accurate risk perception of tobacco use. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LL

L’intervento mediato dai pari per adolescenti con autismo: uno studio pilota

Considerata una delle tecniche basate sull’evidenza scientifica per incrementare le abilità relazionali e socio-comunicative di bambini e adolescenti con autismo, l’intervento mediato dai pari (PMI) considera i compagni di classe come agenti di intervento per fungere da modello, rinforzare e promuovere competenze sociali e le interazioni sociali di bambini e adolescenti con autismo. Il gruppo che ha partecipato alla ricerca è composto da 30 adolescenti con autismo (7 ragazze) con una età compresa tra i 16 e i 19 anni (M=16.85; DS=3.87), che frequentano diverse scuole secondarie di II grado di Roma e provincia, le madri, gli insegnanti di sostegno (22 F e 8 M) e i compagni di classe (N=560) che hanno partecipato all’intervento in qualità di peer buddies. I comportamenti di interazione sociale mostrati dai ragazzi con ASD a fine intervento sottolineano come l’intervento mediato dai pari nei contesti educativi inclusivi possa contribuire al miglioramento della loro vita socialeConsidered one of the best evidence–based practices in enhancing social responses and communication abilities in children and adolescents with ASD, Peer Mediated Intervention (PMI) involves typically developing peers as the intervention agents to model, reinforce, and promote appropriate social interactions and social skills among children and adolescents with ADS. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents (7 girls) with ASD aged 16 to 19 (Mean age = 16.85; SD = 3.87), attending different public high schools in the centre of Italy (Lazio), their mothers, and 30 teachers (22 females and 8 males), who were responsible for the Individual Education Programs (IEP), one for each classroom, and typically development classmates (N=560) who participated as peer buddies. Higher frequency of social interaction behaviours of adolescents with autism with peer buddies at the end of the program pointed out how the peer mediated ntervention in regular school settings may be helpful for their social lif

Binge Drinking and Internalised Sexual Stigma among Italian Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young Adults

BACKGROUND - Literature has studied the relation between youth alcohol consumption and sexual orientation, showing that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people are at increased risk to develop alcohol-related problems compared to heterosexuals. AIM - Our study aims to describe alcohol use patterns in relation to alcohol expectancies, internalised sexual stigma and sensation seeking and to highlight the specific risk factors that sexual minority subgroups face. DESIGN - A survey was administered in order to examine drinking habits, background information and levels of internalised sexual stigma and of sensation seeking in 468 LGB youths. According to the alcohol consumption, the sample was divided into three groups: social, binge and heavy drinkers. RESULTS - Data showed that bisexual youths were at most risk of heavy drinking compared to lesbian and gay participants. Moreover, LGB heavy drinkers reported higher levels of sensation seeking, earlier age of first alcohol consumption and more positive drinking expectancies compared to binge and social drinkers. Bisexual male heavy drinkers also showed more social confidence alcohol expectancies while bisexual female heavy drinkers showed more sensation seeking. CONCLUSION - Bisexual youths are at most risk of alcohol abuse. It is conceivable that these findings are related to the peculiar discrimination to which bisexual people are subject. Practical implications for the present study are discussed. \ua9 2016 Valera Verrastro et al., published by De Gruyter Open 2016

Experiences of life and intersectionality of transgender refugees living in Italy: A qualitative approach

Transgender refugees are at risk of experiencing increased minority stress due to experiences of trauma in their country of origin, and the intersection of multiple marginalized identities in their host country. Adopting a transfeminist and decolonial approach, the present study aimed at exploring transgender refugees’ experiences of life and migration. A semi-structured interview protocol was developed, grounded in the perspectives of minority stress and intersectionality. Participants were five transgender refugees (four women and one non-binary) from different cultural/geographic contexts, professing different religions. Using thematic analysis, the researchers identified three themes: pre- and post-migration minority stress and transphobia; religion as a protective factor for gender affirmation; and individuation and the synthesis of social identities. Participants reported traumatic experiences and the inability to openly live out their gender identity in their country of origin as the main push factors to migration. They also reported feelings of isolation and experiences of victimization during interactions with the Italian asylum services, due to a lack of adequate training, racial prejudice, and transphobia. Participants demonstrated positive individuation, linked to gender affirmation treatments and religious protective factors. The interview protocol may be used by social operators to support the claims of transgender asylum seekers, and to clinically assess transgender people with an immigrant background