Search Results (106)

Factors like future time perspective, cultural belongings, and semiotic resources (i.e., individuals’ meanings to interpret the world), as well as worrying phenomena (climate change and armed conflicts), can harm wellbeing and increase personal distress. The study, comparing Armenian and Italian contexts, explores whether youths’ wellbeing and psychological distress are explained by openness to time perspective, anxiety about uncertainty, and worry regarding climate change and war, as a function of the individual semiotic resources (mapped by Views of Context). Participants were 202 Armenian and 271 Italian young adults (M_age = 21.23, SD_age = 3.35). A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) applied to Views of Context extracted two dimensions of sense; a second-order MCA aggregated the extracted meanings into three clusters named Orientation towards self-care (CL₁), Social and personal commitment (CL₂), and Absolute devaluation and social detachment (CL₃). Clusters and/or nationality significantly differentiated measures of worry for war and climate change, future time perspective, intolerance of uncertainty, and wellbeing, but not the distress scores, by 3 × 2 ANOVAs. Linear regressions showed future time perspective and intolerance of uncertainty as positive and negative predictors of wellbeing respectively, with a significant Views-of-Context dimension, inversely affecting distress scores. Study highlights youths’ latent meanings influence wellbeing and distress, serving as a “starting point” for health promotion interventions sensitive to cultural differences. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is a lack of food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) specifically designed to assess food consumption based on processing levels in younger populations. This study evaluates the validity and the reliability of a 107-item FFQ (NFFQ-Kids) in estimating the intake (g/day) and the weight and energy ratios of Nova groups in Italian children and adolescents aged 2–18 years. Methods: The NFFQ-Kids was administered twice (T0 and T1), with a four-week interval. A total of 73 participants completed the questionnaire at T0, and 53 completed it at T1. Participants were selected from the ICARO Study (December 2023–April 2024), a web-based cohort study in Southern Italy. Questionnaire validity was assessed by comparison with a 3-day food record (two weekdays and one weekend day) collected between the two NFFQ-Kids administrations. Test–retest reliability was evaluated to assess the consistency of the questionnaire over time. Results: A moderate correlation was found between the NFFQ-Kids and the 3-day food record for the energy ratio of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) (r = 0.48; p < 0.001; ICC = 0.46; 95% CI 0.29–0.64) and the weight ratio for both unprocessed or minimally processed foods (r = 0.49; p < 0.001; ICC = 0.50; 95%CI 0.33–0.66) and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) (r = 0.58; p < 0.001; ICC = 0.58; 95%CI 0.42–0.72). Overall, the NFFQ-Kids showed good test–retest reliability across all Nova group intakes, total food, and relative energy and weight ratios of UPFs (r = 0.71, ICC = 0.67; and r = 0.79, ICC = 0.67, respectively), indicating stable measurements over time. Conclusions: The NFFQ-Kids demonstrated acceptable validity and good reliability, proving useful for assessing food intake by processing level in Italian youth. Full article

Bullying is a significant social issue, yet research often relies on quantitative methods. Our study aimed to gain a deeper insight by giving students a voice in expressing their experiences and perceptions, focusing on how youth define and perceive bullying, the different roles involved, and the coping strategies they identify. We conducted 16 focus groups with 220 Italian students, using the Consensus Qualitative Research method. Seven key domains emerged, with core ideas classified by frequency: general (>75%), typical (25–75%), and variant (≤25%). In “Characteristics of bullying,” power imbalance was general, intentionality was typical, and repetition was variant. In “Bullying behaviors,” physical and verbal bullying were general; relational bullying was variant. Regarding “The bully,” moral disengagement and compensation were general, retaliation was typical, and intimidation was variant. For “The victim,” perceived weakness and well-being were general, ethnic victimization was typical, and victim blaming was variant. In “Other roles,” pro-bullies and passive bystanders were typical; defenders were variant. “Victim’s coping strategies” included nonchalance, distancing, and seeking social support as general; retaliation as typical; and talking with the bully as variant. Finally, “Bystanders’ coping strategies” included protecting the victim (typical) and self-protection (variant). These findings offer a nuanced perspective on bullying and inform more targeted interventions. Full article

Background: Beverage intake is a consequential yet underappreciated driver of health in Mediterranean settings. Comparative evidence for Spain and Italy based on harmonised measures is scarce. This study addresses that gap by profiling beverage portfolios and their sociodemographic correlates in parallel adult samples from both countries. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults in Spain (n = 483) and Italy (n = 403) using aligned, validated instruments (NutSo-HH; NutSo-HH-Ita). Outcomes were water (Wtr), sugar-sweetened soft drinks (Sfd), juice (Juc), energy drinks (End), coffee (Cff), alcohol (Alc), and episodes of intoxication (Gtd). Associations were assessed via non-parametric tests, multivariable linear models, and an EBIC-selected Gaussian graphical model (GGM). Main results: Italians reported higher Alc and Gtd; Spaniards reported higher Sfd and Juc. Wtr was comparable across countries, and Cff differences were marginal. Age and sex emerged as the most consistent correlates (older age and male sex with higher Alc; younger age with higher Sfd), whereas education and income were not stable determinants. The GGM suggested behavioural clustering of Sfd–Juc–End, with weak partial correlations for other beverages after adjustment. Implications: Distinct country profiles imply differentiated priorities. In Spain, interventions could prioritise reducing sugar-sweetened beverage intake among younger adults through age-targeted primary care counselling, mandatory water (and unsweetened milk) availability in schools, tiered excise taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks, and restrictions on child- and youth-directed marketing of high-sugar beverages. In Italy, primary care and community health services could routinely screen adults for risky alcohol use and deliver brief, culturally attuned advice that promotes lower-risk patterns of wine consumption during meals. Given the cross-sectional design, self-report measures, and non-probabilistic sampling, findings should be interpreted as context-sensitive markers rather than causal determinants; nevertheless, they highlight concrete prevention approaches and regulatory levers for each country’s beverage-related health risks. Full article

Background: Muscle and bone show reciprocal interactions and are associated in a muscle-bone unit. The muscle-bone unit has been investigated to a very limited extent in soccer players. The objective of this work was to investigate in detail the muscle-bone unit in male youth elite soccer players. Methods: Bone mineral and lean mass were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The functional muscle-bone unit (fMBU) and the muscle-to-bone ratio (MBR) were calculated from the DXA output in a sample of players aged 14–19 (n = 193) playing in the youth squads of an Italian Serie A team. Results: Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations were found between lean mass variables and bone mineral content and density, also after adjusting for age, body mass, stature, maturity, and ethnicity (White/Black). fMBU and MBR were statistically significantly associated with age, body mass, stature, maturity, and ethnicity. Linear regression showed that body lean mass was the strongest predictor for bone mineral content and density. Age was a statistically significant predictor for fMBU and MBR. Playing position did not show any statistically significant relationship with bone mineral content and density, as well as fMBU or MBR. Centiles for fMBU and MBR were calculated as a reference. Conclusions: This work is the first detailed characterization of the muscle-to-bone relationship in soccer players. It is expected to be of use for sport scientists and the wide community of sportsmen and professionals involved in soccer. Full article

Following natural disasters, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the onset and persistence of post-traumatic stress symptoms, which can significantly affect developmental trajectories and mental health. Although PTSD networks have been extensively studied in adults, less is known about youth, and no previous studies have examined how PTSD clusters relate to social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (SEBD). This study applied network analysis to examine how PTSD clusters relate to psychosocial problems in a large sample of trauma-exposed youth. A total of 635 Italian children and adolescents (M_age = 11.19 years, SD = 1.43; 51.5% male), exposed to the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake, completed the UCLA PTSD-RI and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Network estimation and centrality indices were computed for the overall sample. Network Comparison Tests assessed differences by gender, age group, and proximity to the epicenter. Emotional problems and Increased Arousal emerged as the most central nodes, whereas Peer Problems were consistently peripheral. Gender differences were significant, whereas no differences were detected by age; moreover, youth living closer to the epicenter exhibited a more densely connected network. Despite its limitations, the study identifies co-occurrence patterns between PTSD clusters and specific SEBD, outlining clinical implications that warrant further investigation. Full article

Studies indicate that early adolescents are exposed to several online risks. Furthermore, early adolescents with Special Educational Needs (SENs) often experience emotional, social, or family difficulties, which increase their vulnerability to online risks. We aimed to investigate whether parental mediation styles regarding children’s Internet use moderate the risk for early adolescents in general and early adolescents with SENs in particular. One hundred and nineteen Italian parents (90.8% female) of children aged 11–15, 34% with a diagnosis associated with SENs, completed self-report measures assessing their children’s exposure to online risks and their parental mediation styles. In addition, 70 early adolescents (43.7% female; 39.4% with an SEN diagnosis) completed measures of social adjustment. Using moderation regression analyses, we examined the associations of parental mediation style, social adjustment, and SEN status with exposure to online risks. The findings highlighted how high levels of active parental mediation were associated with a significant reduction in online risks for adolescents with higher social adjustment. Follow-up analyses indicate, even if marginally, that this effect influences regards, in particular, adolescents with SENs. These results highlight the relevance of both individual social adaptation skills and parental mediation in reducing online risks among early adolescents, particularly those with SENs. Therefore, preventive interventions should not only target the development of youth competencies but also provide guidance and support for parents. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by vulnerability to psychological difficulties. While family relationships, peer bonds, prosocial behaviors, and health-risk factors have been linked to adolescent mental health, few studies have examined their joint effects in clinical pediatric populations. This study assessed demographic, clinical, relational, and behavioral predictors of psychological difficulties in Italian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 177 adolescents (aged 11–14 years) from a pediatric clinic completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The Total Difficulties (SDQ TD) score was the main outcome. Associations were tested with ordinary least squares (OLS) and confirmed using robust MM regression. Bootstrap confidence intervals and Benjamini–Hochberg corrections were applied. Sensitivity analyses excluded the Peer Problems subscale to address part–whole overlap. Results: Higher friendship satisfaction was consistently associated with fewer psychological difficulties, confirming its role as a strong protective factor. Prosocial behavior and male sex were also linked to fewer difficulties in initial analyses, though these associations were less stable after correction. Sensitivity analyses further supported the protective value of friendship satisfaction, even when accounting for overlap with peer problems. Despite relatively low overall levels of psychological difficulties, nearly one-quarter of adolescents met the clinical cut-off for eating disorder risk. Conclusions: Friendship satisfaction was the strongest protective factor, while prosocial behavior and sex showed weaker consistency. Findings suggest that distinct aspects of peer relationships jointly shape adolescents’ psychological outcomes. Interventions promoting social functioning may support mental health in clinical youth populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Weight-based stigma represents a pervasive psychosocial challenge affecting youth worldwide, with significant implications for mental and physical health. Although school-based interventions have been suggested as effective strategies to reduce weight bias, evidence regarding their content and efficacy in real-world educational contexts remains limited. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention designed to reduce internalized weight stigma among Italian adolescents. Methods: A total of 539 secondary school students (Mage = 15.91 years; SD = 1.38; 51.5% males) from 10 schools in Italy were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (61.2%, n = 330) receiving the program or a minimal intervention control group (38.8%, n = 209). The intervention integrated psychoeducational modules and activities based on cognitive dissonance theory to address maladaptive weight-related attitudes and associated psychopathological outcomes. Pre- and post-intervention assessments evaluated internalized weight bias and body dissatisfaction in both groups. Results: A significant reduction in internalized weight bias was observed among students perceiving themselves as overweight following the intervention. Additionally, a marginally significant decrease in body dissatisfaction was reported in the intervention group from pre- to post-intervention. No comparable changes were found in the control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that incorporating cognitive dissonance-based psychoeducational content within school-based programs may be a promising approach for reducing internalized weight stigma in adolescents. Further research is warranted to refine intervention strategies, explore the mechanisms underlying the observed effects, and assess the scalability and long-term impact of such initiatives in school settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vision plays a key role in acquiring and automating fundamental movement skills. Evidence from Italy is scarce. This study compared Test of Gross Motor Development–2 (TGMD-2) performance between Italian children with visual impairment (VI) and sighted peers and explored differences by degree of VI (severe VI vs. blindness). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 38 children (VI: n = 19, 5–12 y; sighted: n = 19, 5–11 y). VI was classified per the WHO criteria. TGMD-2 was administered with adaptations suitable for VI (e.g., high-contrast cones, auditory balls, verbal cueing). Group differences (VI vs. sighted; blindness vs. severe VI; severe VI vs. sighted) were analyzed with Mann–Whitney U (α = 0.05). For participants > 10 y, raw scores were analyzed and age-equivalent scores were summarized to calculate developmental gaps. Results: Children with VI scored lower than sighted peers on locomotor, object control, and total TGMD-2 scores (all p < 0.001). Within VI, blindness was associated with lower locomotor, object control, and total scores than severe VI (p = 0.013; p = 0.043; p = 0.013). Children with severe VI also scored lower than sighted peers across outcomes (all p < 0.001). Based on age-equivalent estimates, average gross motor performance in VI was ~4–5 years below chronological age; values < 3 years were set to 3 years for calculation (the floor effect). Conclusions: Italian children with VI show reduced gross motor competence compared with sighted peers, with a substantial developmental lag. Findings support early adapted physical education and structured movement opportunities to promote participation and inclusion. Future studies should examine long-term outcomes and contextual factors shaping motor competence in youth with VI. Full article

In Italy, the debate on migrants often focuses on issues such as social integration, economic conditions, and access to services. However, a little-investigated aspect concerns the double stigmatization of LGBTQ+ migrants, a reality made invisible by both the lack of research and the strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws present in many countries of origin. This study aimed to compare homonegativity levels between first- and second-generation migrants. A quantitative approach was used, with 127 participants (age 18–55, M = 30.63, SD = 11.58) completing an anonymous online questionnaire in three different languages. The instrument included a sociodemographic form and the Italian Scale for Measuring Homonegativity. A multivariate General Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed significant effects of generation (p < 0.001, η² = 0.688) and gender (p < 0.01, η² = 0.144), with second-generation youth and women reporting lower levels of homonegativity. Religious affiliation had a minimal impact, influencing only the perception of deviance towards gay men (p < 0.05). Interactions between factors were generally non-significant, except for gender and religion. These findings underline the importance of generational and gender differences in the formation of homonegativity and highlight the need for further research to explore the cultural and social dynamics influencing these attitudes. In addition, there is a need to further explore how experiences of discrimination influence the well-being of LGBTQ+ migrants and what resilience strategies are adopted to address the challenges of homonegativity and marginalization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) is a clinical condition primarily characterized by inattention, hypoactivity, and mind-wandering, which has not yet been recognized as an official diagnostic category. Although there are overlaps between CDS and ADHD, evidence supports the semi-independence of CDS from the ADHD-Inattentive subtype. Importantly, while the impact of ADHD on parenting styles has been studied, no previous research has investigated the potential influence of CDS difficulties on parenting behaviors. Both CDS and ADHD are associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, which are influenced by negative parenting styles. The severity of ADHD is known to predict the use of dysfunctional parenting patterns; however, no studies have yet investigated how CDS difficulties might affect parenting styles. Due to the similarities between CDS and ADHD, it is reasonable to hypothesize a similar relationship. This study aims to examine the potential mediating role of parenting styles—both negative and positive—in the relationship between CDS difficulties and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Methods: The sample is composed of 369 Italian school-aged children (9.38 ± 2.34 years old). Parents reported on their children’s psychopathology, CDS difficulties, and their own parenting strategies. Results: Analyses conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS tool indicated that only negative parenting styles partially mediated the relationship between CDS difficulties and parent-reported youth anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant disorder. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of interventions aimed at both addressing CDS in children and improving parenting strategies to enhance youth psychopathological outcomes. Full article

This study aimed to monitor internal load, well-being, and recovery status in U16 male water polo players during a congested competitive period. Fourteen athletes from an Italian club played 12 matches (seven friendly, five official) over 7 days. The internal match load was measured using the session-RPE method (s-RPE). Perceived enjoyment was measured with the Enjoyment Likert Scale (ENJ), while recovery and well-being were evaluated using the Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) and the Hooper Index (HI), respectively. No significant main effects were found on s-RPE, PRS, and HI considering friendly and official matches. However, ENJ was significantly higher during official matches (p < 0.005). PRS values were significantly affected by daytime matches (p < 0.005), with better perceived recovery reported for morning matches. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant associations between s-RPE and HI (p = 0.001), the fatigue item (p = 0.001), and the PRS (p = 0.004). These results suggest that as internal load increases, players experience higher fatigue and report lower recovery and well-being scores. Employing simple, non-invasive tools like the RPE, PRS, and HI can help coaches and support staff to identify early signs of overtraining or insufficient recovery, allowing for more individualized load management and injury prevention in youth water polo athletes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood/youth are ideally the best periods to teach healthy behaviors; unfortunately, children/adolescents are frequently characterized by unhealthy lifestyles and reduced well-being. Lifestyle improvement early in life may play a fundamental role in determining present health, preventing many chronic diseases, and fostering well-being. Having a clear picture of the lifestyle characteristics of a group can help institutions and schools define effective educational and intervention strategies. This observational study aims to examine whether information collected from children and adolescents about their lifestyles and perceptions of well-being could help identify particular groups that deserve specific interventions, implemented by the school, to improve their overall health. Methods: After administering a simple lifestyle/well-being questionnaire to 225 children/adolescents at an Italian school complex, we investigated the relationships between lifestyles and perceptions of well-being by constructing statistical indicators through nonlinear principal component analysis. Then, we defined lifestyle typologies based on lifestyle indicators and studied the distribution of the well-being indicator across such typologies, also adjusting for sex and age effects. Results: The study shows that lifestyle worsens with age (p < 0.001) and influences overall well-being perception. We identified four lifestyle typologies by combining two indicators of sedentary behavior and sleep, and of quality of nutrition and the volume of physical activity. The healthier the lifestyle, the better the overall well-being perception is (represented by the indicator that includes the perceived quality of health, sleep, and academic performance) (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Tailored educational/intervention strategies that consider specific groups’ characteristics, rather than general counseling, might be more effective at improving health/well-being. Full article

Background: Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs) are severe mental health conditions often emerging during childhood or adolescence, with rising prevalence. They are frequently associated with psychiatric and organic comorbidities, including anxiety symptoms and insomnia. Phytotherapy, particularly Passiflora incarnata L. Herba, has been suggested as a potential treatment option for anxiety and insomnia in youth. Methods: this is an observational and retrospective study that includes patients assessed in a third-level Italian Regional Centre for Feeding and Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023. Eligible patients had a confirmed diagnosis of a FED, along with either an anxiety or a sleep disorder. During follow-up, the clinical efficacy of Passiflora incarnata L. Herba was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression–Improvement scale (CGI-I). Comparative analyses were conducted by stratifying the sample based on the target symptoms (sleep disorders/insomnia and anxiety), FED subtype, and whether polytherapy was used. Results: this study includes 94 patients, with most diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (71.3%). Passiflora incarnata L. Herba was administered at a dosage of 200 mg (1–2 tablets for day). It was often combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (56.5%), atypical antipsychotics (27.7%), or benzodiazepines (7.4%). Treatment was initiated for anxiety symptoms (75.5%) or insomnia (28.7%). No side effects were reported. Among patients with specific outcome data, 53.3% reported improvements in anxiety symptoms, and 45.4% reported improvements in insomnia. Conclusions: this is the first study to evaluate the use of Passiflora incarnata L. Herba for anxiety and insomnia in children and adolescents with FEDs. Our findings suggest that Passiflora incarnata L. Herba may serve as a well-tolerated adjunctive treatment, showing symptomatic improvement in up to 53% of the patients with data on treatment outcomes. Notably, 53.3% and 45.4% of participants, with specific outcome data, reported reduced anxiety and insomnia symptoms, respectively. Given its excellent safety profile and preliminary efficacy, Passiflora incarnata L. Herba may represent a promising alternative for patients with mild symptoms or for caregivers hesitant about conventional pharmacotherapy. Full article