Adult attachment and minority stress in lesbian and gay people in Italy

As widely demonstrated, minority stress negatively affects well-being of LGBTQIA+ people. Recently, the literature has inquired into the psychological factors that may explain individual differences in levels of minority stressors experienced. In particular, some studies have focused on the role of adult attachment, although further studies seem necessary to understand its impact on proximal minority stressors. Through three multiple regression models, the present research analyzed the impact of adult attachment avoidance and anxiety on perceived stigma, internalized homonegativity and sexual orientation concealment, controlling for theeffect of proximaland distal minority stressors. One hundred and twenty-one people who self-identified as lesbian or gay and were involved in a romantic relationship when completing the questionnaire participated in the research. After controlling for the effect of distal and proximal minority stressors, data support a positive relationship between attachment anxiety and internalized homonegativity, and between attachment avoidance and sexual orientation concealment. However, the latter regression model was not significant. Finally, no significant relationship emerged between adult attachment and perceived stigma. The results are at least in part in line with the scarce literature on the topic. Further studies are needed to further support and extend the data emerging in the present study, in order to inform interventions aimed at promoting the well-being of LGBTQIA+ people.

Internalized Homonegativity, Emotion Dysregulation, and Isolating Behaviors Perpetration among Gay and Lesbian Couples

Same-sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV) is a serious health concern and may manifest in various forms. Nevertheless, controlling behaviors of isolation are still poorly investigated. Due to their marginalized status, sexual minorities can face SSIPV-specific risk factors, such as internalized homonegativity, as well as general psychological stress factors, such as emotion dysregulation. While the literature is growing, there is still a lack of understanding of the complex pathways linking sexual minorities and minority stress to IPV and isolating controlling behavior. To fill this gap, we explored the relation between internalized homonegativity and controlling behaviors of isolation, assessing the mediating role of emotion dysregulation. In total, 120 gay and lesbian people (mean age = 33.8, SD = 11.5) involved in a same-sex relationship participated in the study. Results showed a direct and positive association between internalized homonegativity and difficulties in emotion regulation and a direct and positive association between emotion dysregulation and controlling behaviors of isolation; the mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the relation between internalized homonegativity and isolating controlling behaviors was supported as well. Emerging results can provide valuable information at the clinical level, although further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings

Augmented reality (AR) in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) training: where are we now in Italy? The Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE) ARMIS survey

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a widespread approach in general surgery. Computer guiding software, such as the augmented reality (AR), the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), has been proposed to help surgeons during MIS. This study aims to report these technologies' current knowledge and diffusion during surgical training in Italy. A web-based survey was developed under the aegis of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE). Two hundred and seventeen medical doctors' answers were analyzed. Participants were surgeons (138, 63.6%) and residents in surgery (79, 36.4%). The mean knowledge of the role of the VR, AR and MR in surgery was 4.9 ± 2.4 (range 1-10). Most of the participants (122, 56.2%) did not have experience with any proposed technologies. However, although the lack of experience in this field, the answers about the functioning of the technologies were correct in most cases. Most of the participants answered that VR, AR and MR should be used more frequently for the teaching and training and during the clinical activity (170, 80.3%) and that such technologies would make a significant contribution, especially in training (183, 84.3%) and didactic (156, 71.9%). Finally, the main limitations to the diffusion of these technologies were the insufficient knowledge (182, 83.9%) and costs (175, 80.6%). Based on the present study, in Italy, the knowledge and dissemination of these technologies are still limited. Further studies are required to establish the usefulness of AR, VR and MR in surgical training