The development and validation of interpersonal violence in terms of hot weather scale is the goal of the current study. The initial pool of items was developed by reviewing the literature and taking into account the results of semi-structured interviews (inductive deductive approach). After expert opinion and ensuring content validity, 25 Items were finalized for further analysis. To run an exploratory factor analysis, data were collected from 1,000 university students. EFA revealed a unidimensional factor structure with 16 retained items, explaining 80.2

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) refers to symptoms of fogginess, daydreaming, blank staring, and slowed behaviour. Growing evidence suggests that CDS reflects a transdiagnostic construct. This study aimed to examine (1) associations between age, sex, and CDS severity; (2) differences in CDS across Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and internalizing disorders; and (3) associations between CDS and quality of life, as assessed by the KIDSCREEN-27. CDS was assessed in 958 clinically referred children and adolescents (mean age = 10.7 +/- 2.8 years; 36.3% female) with a primary diagnosis of ADHD (n = 353), ASD (n = 494), or internalizing disorders (n = 111). Four Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) items (13, 17, 80, 102) were used to operationalize CDS. Analyses included ANOVAs, MANOVAs, and multiple regression analyses in the full sample and a subsample without comorbidities. CDS levels didn't differ by sex, whereas adolescents (12-17 years) showed higher CDS levels than children (6-11 years). Across diagnostic groups, ASD (M = 2.6, SD = 1.8) and internalizing disorders (M = 2.6, SD = 1.9) displayed higher CDS scores than ADHD (M = 1.8, SD = 1.6; p < .001). These findings remained significant in the subsamples without comorbidities (p < .001). Multiple regression analyses indicated that higher CDS scores were significantly associated with lower quality of life (B = -2.20, p < .001), independent of diagnostic group, sex, and age, without significant interaction between CDS and diagnosis. Correlational analyses indicated stronger associations between CDS with autistic (r = .25-.36; p < .05) and affective CBCL symptom dimensions (r = .19-.36; p < .05) dimensions than with ADHD symptoms. CDS appears to represent a clinically relevant transdiagnostic construct. Its strong expression in ASD suggests that it captures disengagement mechanisms beyond current nosological frameworks.

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), previously known as Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, has increasingly been recognized as a construct distinct from ADHD inattention yet strongly associated with internalizing disorders. This scoping review synthesized evidence from 82 studies published between 2002 and 2025, combining narrative synthesis with three-level meta-analysis and meta-regression. Across healthy and clinical samples, individuals with elevated CDS consistently showed higher rates of depression and anxiety, with more than one-third reaching clinical thresholds. Associations remained significant after controlling for ADHD inattention and were observed in children, adolescents, and adults. Longitudinal evidence suggested that CDS may operate as a developmental risk factor for later depression, though findings for anxiety were less consistent. Despite robust evidence of comorbidity, very few studies examined the functional consequences of CDS-internalizing overlap, and none employed analytic strategies to address symptom overlap, despite substantial phenomenological similarities. Meta-analyses confirmed moderate-to-strong associations, with the strongest link for depression (r = 0.56), followed by anxiety (r = 0.46) and broader internalizing symptoms (r = 0.44). Meta-regression identified depression as a significant moderator and revealed inflated effect sizes in same-informant studies, while demographic factors such as age, sex, population type, and sample size did not significantly account for variability. These findings support the conceptualization of CDS as a structurally distinct yet transdiagnostic construct, particularly tied to depressive symptomatology. However, methodological limitations, including scarce longitudinal and multi-informant studies, lack of symptom-overlap controls, and limited evidence on functional outcomes, constrain clinical interpretation and highlight the need for more rigorous, developmentally informed research.

BACKGROUND:Apathy worsens with age and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer's, leading to functional and cognitive deterioration. Comprehending its broad impact is vital for customized, preventive treatments. METHODS:The study examined 214 adults divided in three groups-Mild Cognitive Impairment, mild Alzheimer's, and controls-using neuropsychological tests and questionnaires, with statistical and network analysis to explore apathy's links with other group variables related to demographics and treatment. RESULTS:Notable differences were observed among the groups' performance of administered tests. While inferential statistics failed to return a predictive model of apathy in mild Alzheimer's, networks and cluster analyses indicate that the demographic variables analysed have different importance at different times of disease progression and that cognitive apathy is particularly prominent in AD-related decline. CONCLUSIONS:Network analysis revealed insights into dementia risk differentiation, notably the impact of sex and demographic factors, beyond the scope of traditional statistics. It highlighted cognitive apathy as a key area for personalized intervention strategies more than behavioural and emotional, emphasizing the importance of short-term goals and not taking away the person's autonomy when not strictly necessary.

Background. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent and disabling condition frequently accompanied by cognitive deficits, impaired psychosocial functioning, and biological rhythm disturbances. Despite extensive literature on individual associations between depression and circadian disruptions, the mediating role of biological rhythms in the functional outcomes of MDD remains underexplored. Objectives. This study aimed to explore the associations between depression severity, biological rhythms, sleep quality, and psychosocial functioning, and to assess whether biological rhythm disturbances mediate the impact of depression on functioning. Methods. Sixty-one inpatients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe MDD were assessed using standardized instruments: BDI-II for depressive symptoms, BRIAN for biological rhythms, PSQI for sleep quality, and FAST for global functioning. Group comparisons, non-parametric correlations, and a mediation analysis were conducted to test direct and indirect effects. Results. Participants showed severe depressive symptoms, impaired functioning, disrupted biological rhythms, and poor sleep. Women reported more depressive episodes, reduced autonomy, and worse sleep than men. Depression severity was associated with circadian and sleep disturbances, which in turn related to functional impairment. Mediation analysis suggested that biological rhythms partially mediate the impact of depression on functioning. Conclusions. Findings from this preliminary analysis suggest that biological rhythm disturbances may play a mediating role in the relationship between depressive symptoms and daily psychosocial functioning. While not conclusive, these results highlight the potential relevance of chronobiological factors in understanding functional outcomes in MDD. Further research using longitudinal and controlled designs is needed to clarify these associations and their clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE:Apathy is a multidimensional syndrome present in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, distinct from depression. It requires targeted assessment tools able to explore and measure it as a complex system. This study aimed to explore the latent structure of apathy in individuals with cognitive decline using Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) applied to the Apathy Evaluation Scale - Clinician version (AES-C), and to compare this structure with traditional factorial models. METHODS:A total of 214 individuals, including patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and healthy controls, completed the AES-C and a standardized neuropsychological battery. EGA was used to estimate the network-based factor structure of the AES-C. Confirmatory factor analysis compared the EGA-derived model with both the original structure proposed by Marin et al. and a model derived through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). RESULTS:EGA revealed a four-factor structure: interest and motivation, autonomy, novelty, and social apathy. This solution demonstrated better fit, parsimony, and conceptual clarity than both the original and EFA-derived models. The EGA model showed good internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and performed consistently across MCI and AD subgroups. CONCLUSIONS:EGA provided a clearer understanding of apathy by identifying specific, clinically relevant, and objective dimensions that differ in disease progression. This precise characterization facilitates targeted and timely interventions and has the potential to initiate the development of new test batteries fully validated through network methods, allowing more complex analysis of apathy symptoms.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted adolescents. This study examines the shifts in flourishing, perceived social support, and empathic self-efficacy among adolescents during lockdown and in the present. A sample of 261 Italian adolescents (79.3% female, 20.7% male, aged 13-19) was surveyed. The Flourishing Scale (FS), Perceived Empathic Self-Efficacy Scale (AEP/A), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used. The results revealed a significant decline in well-being during lockdown, with improvements in flourishing, empathic self-efficacy, and social support observed post-lockdown. Gender differences indicated that males reported higher flourishing and friend support levels during lockdown. Younger adolescents exhibited greater flourishing during lockdown. Individuals with high flourishing demonstrated better outcomes across all variables. The mediation model results suggest that perceived empathic self-efficacy mediates the relationship between perceived social support and flourishing. These findings emphasize the critical role of supportive relationships and emotional skills in enhancing adolescent resilience during challenging times.

Current drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), such as cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), exert only symptomatic activity. Different psychometric tools are needed to assess cognitive and non-cognitive dimensions during pharmacological treatment. In this pilot study, we monitored 33 mild-AD patients treated with ChEIs. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of 6 months (Group 1 = 17 patients) and 9 months (Group 2 = 16 patients) of ChEIs administration on cognition with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), while depressive symptoms were measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). After 6 months (Group 1), a significant decrease in MoCA performance was detected. After 9 months (Group 2), a significant decrease in MMSE, MoCA, and FAB performance was observed. ChEIs did not modify depressive symptoms. Overall, our data suggest MoCA is a potentially useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of ChEIs.

Mental imagery is a cognitive ability that enables individuals to simulate sensory experiences without external stimuli. This complex process involves generating, manipulating, and experiencing sensory perceptions. Despite longstanding interest, understanding its relationship with other cognitive functions and emotions remains limited. This narrative review aims to address this gap by exploring mental imagery’s associations with cognitive and emotional processes. It emphasizes the significant role of mental imagery on different cognitive functions, with a particular focus on learning processes in different contexts, such as school career, motor skill acquisition, and rehabilitation. Moreover, it delves into the intricate connection between mental imagery and emotions, highlighting its implications in psychopathology and therapeutic interventions. The review also proposes a comprehensive psychometric protocol to assess mental imagery’s cognitive and emotional dimensions, enabling a thorough evaluation of this complex construct. Through a holistic understanding of mental imagery, integrating cognitive and emotional aspects, researchers can advance comprehension and application in both research and clinical settings.

Objectives: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet seems to be involved in older adults' health. However, its specific role towards cognitive deficits, daily autonomy, and sleep quality still needs to be clarified. Therefore, this pilot study aimed at: 1) exploring the relationships between adherence to Mediterranean Diet, cognitive decline, daily autonomy, and sleep quality in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and 2) computing models to explore the interplay between these variables. Methods: After ethical approval, 12 older adults with MCI (Mini Mental State Examination ≥ 26 and < 28, M = 26.8, SD = 1.82) aged 65+ years (M = 75.7, SD = 7.39) were assessed with Medi-Lite questionnaire on adherence to Mediterranean Diet, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed with SPSS 27. Results: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet correlated with MMSE attention and calculation (ρ = 0.63, p < .05), MMSE orientation (ρ = 0.58, p < .05), MMSE general cognitive functioning (ρ = 0.67, p < .05), MoCA visuospatial/executive ability (ρ = 0.79, p < .01), MoCA delayed recall (ρ = 0.6, p < .05), FAB conflicting instructions (ρ = 0.61, p < .05), FAB go – no go (ρ = 0.67 p < .05), IADL (ρ = 0.79, p < .05), and PSQI sleep duration (ρ = 0.74, p < .01). PSQI sleep duration, moreover, correlated with FAB go – no go (ρ = 0.67, p < .05), while PSQI subjective quality of sleep correlated with ADL (ρ = -0.7, p < .05). Bootstrap mediation analysis, in conclusion, showed adherence to Mediterranean Diet as a complete mediator in the relationship between MMSE general cognitive functioning and IADL (ab = 0.5, 95% CI [0.13, 1.08], p < .05; c = 0.48, 95% CI [-0.04, 1.25], p = .12; c + ab = 0.98, 95% CI [0.55, 1.86], p < .01), and in the relationship between PSQI sleep duration and IADL (ab = 1.71, 95% CI [0.64, 3.48], p < .05; c = -0.1, 95% CI [-1.89, 1.54]; p = .89; c + ab = 1.61, 95% CI [0.33, 3]; p < .05). Conclusions: Adherence to Mediterranean Diet seems to play an important role in the relationships between cognition, sleep, and daily autonomy in MCI. Future works should be conducted on larger samples to design specific intervention strategies for healthy aging. Funding Sources: None.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused critical mental health issues and lifestyle disruptions. The aim of this study was to explore, during the lockdown of second-wave contagions in Italy, how stress was affected by dispositional (personality factors and intolerance to uncertainty) and behavioral (coping strategies) dimensions, how these variables differed among sex, age, educational, professional, and health groups, and how the various changes in work and daily routine intervened in the psychological impact of the emergency. Our results highlight that women, the youngs, students/trainees, those with chronic diseases, those who stopped their jobs due to restrictions, and those who left home less than twice a week were more stressed, while health professionals showed lower levels of the same construct. Those with higher levels of stress used more coping strategies based on avoidance, which positively correlated with age, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and intolerance to uncertainty, and negatively with openness. Stress levels also positively correlated with agreeableness, conscientiousness, intolerance to uncertainty, and seeking of social support, and negatively with openness, a positive attitude, and a transcendent orientation. Finally, stress was predicted mainly by behavioral dimensions. Our results are discussed and framed within the literature, as important insights for targeted intervention strategies to promote health even in emergencies.

Sleep disorders have become increasingly prevalent, with many adults worldwide reporting sleep dissatisfaction. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) are common conditions associated with disrupted sleep patterns such as insomnia and hypersomnolence. These sleep disorders significantly affect the progression, severity, treatment, and outcome of unipolar and bipolar depression. While there is evidence of a connection between sleep disorders and depression, it remains unclear if sleep features differ between MDD and BD. In light of this, this narrative review aims to: (1) summarize findings on common sleep disorders like insomnia and hypersomnolence, strongly linked to MDD and BD; (2) propose a novel psychometric approach to assess sleep in individuals with depressive disorders. Despite insomnia seems to be more influent in unipolar depression, while hypersomnolence in bipolar one, there is no common agreement. So, it is essential adopting a comprehensive psychometric protocol for try to fill this gap. Understanding the relationship between sleep and MDD and BD disorders are crucial for effective management and better quality of life for those affected.

Background Different studies have been conducted to understand how patients with unipolar and bipolar depression differ in terms of cognitive and affective symptoms as well as in psychosocial function. Furthermore, the impact of antidepressants, second-generation antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers on these dimensions needs to be characterized, as well as the best psychometric approach to measure changes after pharmacological treatment. Objectives This study aims to analyze the impact of psychotropic drugs on cognitive, affective, and psychosocial functioning in MDD and BD patients; to test the sensitivity of psychometric tools for measuring those changes; also, to understand how psychosocial abilities are associated with affective and cognitive dimensions in patients with MDD and BD. Methods A total of 22 patients with MDD and 21 patients with BD in the depressive phase were recruited. Several psychometric tests were administered to assess affective, cognitive, and psychosocial symptoms before and after 12 weeks of drug treatment (T0 and T1) with different psychotropic drugs including second-generation antidepressants, second-generation antipsychotics and mood stabilizers (lamotrigine). Results MDD patients showed significant improvement in MoCA, Delayed Recall of Rey's 15 Words and HDRS, while a significant worsening was detected on Digit Span Backwards and on FAST scores. Instead, patients with BD showed significant improvements in the MoCA as the MDD patients, but only a trend of improvement (non-statistically significant) on the BDI-II. A positive correlation was detected in both groups between FAST and HDRS and BDI-II scores, especially in BD patients. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that drug treatment with psychotropic drugs can improve cognitive and affective symptoms, but not all psychometric tools may be equally sensitive to detect those changes in MDD vs. BD patients. Moreover, we found that affective and cognitive dimensions can be considered as different psychopathological dimensions both in unipolar and bipolar depression.

Introduction The Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. MDD is a major public health concern and is the leading cause of disability, morbidity, institutionalization, and excess mortality, conferring high suicide risk. Pharmacological treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) is often the first choice for their efficacy and tolerability profile. However, a significant percentage of depressive individuals do not achieve remission even after an adequate trial of pharmacotherapy, a condition known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Methods To better understand the complexity of clinical phenotypes in MDD we propose Network Intervention Analysis (NIA) that can help health psychology in the detection of risky behaviors, in the primary and/or secondary prevention, as well as to monitor the treatment and verify its effectiveness. The paper aims to identify the interaction and changes in network nodes and connections of 14 continuous variables with nodes identified as "Treatment" in a cohort of MDD patients recruited for their recent history of partial response to antidepressant drugs. The study analyzed the network of MDD patients at baseline and after 12 weeks of drug treatment. Results At baseline, the network showed separate dimensions for cognitive and psychosocial-affective symptoms, with cognitive symptoms strongly affecting psychosocial functioning. The MoCA tool was identified as a potential psychometric tool for evaluating cognitive deficits and monitoring treatment response. After drug treatment, the network showed less interconnection between nodes, indicating greater stability, with antidepressants taking a central role in driving the network. Affective symptoms improved at follow-up, with the highest predictability for HDRS and BDI-II nodes being connected to the Antidepressants node. Conclusion NIA allows us to understand not only what symptoms enhance after pharmacological treatment, but especially the role it plays within the network and with which nodes it has stronger connections.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. It is characterized by attention deficits, hyperactivity, and impulsivity leading to significant impairment in academic, occupational, familiar, and social functioning. Most of the literature has been focusing on the impact of this condition on infancy and preadolescence, but little is known on its consequences in adulthood. This narrative review addresses this gap by focusing on the studies regarding the schooling outcomes of this population. After identifying the specific clinical and neuropsychological profile of ADHD in adults, this study analyzes their precise needs for effective learning and presents evidence on their academic and occupational achievements. Pharmacological, educational, and rehabilitative factors predicting a positive scholastic and career success are critically reviewed. Finally, this study focuses on the strategies that can improve the learning processes in adults with ADHD by expanding the analysis on executive functions, metacognition, and emotional dysregulation. Schooling outcomes in adults with ADHD, therefore, are conceptualized as a complex measure depending on several variables, like early pharmacological treatment, educational support, neuropsychological intervention, and targeted strategies for life-long learning.

Suicide attempts are a possible consequence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), although their prevalence varies across different epidemiological studies. Suicide attempt is a significant predictor of death by suicide, highlighting its importance in understanding and preventing tragic outcomes. Researchers are increasingly recognizing the need to study the differences between males and females, as several distinctions emerge in terms of the characteristics, types and motivations of suicide attempts. These differences emphasize the importance of considering gender-specific factors in the study of suicide attempts and developing tailored prevention strategies. We conducted a network analysis to represent and investigate which among multiple neurocognitive, psychosocial, demographic and affective variables may prove to be a reliable predictor for identifying the 'suicide attempt risk' (SAR) in a sample of 81 adults who met DSM-5 criteria for MDD. Network analysis resulted in differences between males and females regarding the variables that were going to interact and predict the SAR; in particular, for males, there is a stronger link toward psychosocial aspects, while for females, the neurocognitive domain is more relevant in its mnestic subcomponents. Network analysis allowed us to describe otherwise less obvious differences in the risk profiles of males and females that attempted to take their own lives. Different neurocognitive and psychosocial variables and different interactions between them predict the probability of suicide attempt unique to male and female patients.

# Background The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of healthcare workers, who have taken on the major problems triggered by the emergency. The mental consequences concern high levels of insomnia, anxiety, depression and burnout, which inevitably affect their professional quality of life too. # Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between psychopathological symptoms (tested with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS-21) and professional quality of life (measured with the Professional Quality of Life Scale, ProQol) in a hospital of southern Italy. # Methods 204 healthcare workers were recruited by non-probabilistic sampling and divided by age, gender, work roles (physicians, nurses and intermediate care technicians) and clinical departments (Cardio-medicine, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine, First Aid, Obstetrics and Pneumology). # Results The results showed higher levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Stress in women than in men. Physicians and nurses experienced lower levels of Compassion Satisfaction but higher Burnout than intermediate care technicians; likewise, nurses were more anxious than physicians. The Emergency Medicine had higher scores in Compassion Satisfaction than Infectious Disease, Pneumology, Obstetrics and Cardio-Medicine. # Conclusion In light of what has been said so far, it appears essential to intervene on the first mild signs of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress, because they precede the onset of Depression, Stress and Anxiety in healthcare workers.