Luca Milani

Computer-mediated communication and persuasion: Peripheral vs. central route to opinion shift

Objective of this research was to investigate the differences between face-to-face communication and computer-mediated communication regarding opinion change in small group decision-making. We hypothesized that people in a discussion through computer-mediated communication accede to cognitive processes that could facilitate resisting the effects of a persuasive message. Participants were 108 degree students with a mean age of 21.5 (range 19-26): 51 males (mean age=21.5) and 57 females (mean age=21.4). Subjects had to discuss in a small group (three to five people) an issue given by the experimenter related to a fictitious reorganization of the university refectory. Subjects were randomly assigned to two experimental conditions: face-to-face small group discussion and computer-mediated (chat) small group discussion. At the half-way point in the discussion the experimenter introduced a new piece of information supplied by an influential source. The piece of information was in contrast to the prevailing opinion in the group. Results show that there were fewer opinion changes in the chat condition (subsequent to the introduction of the persuasive message) than in the face-to-face condition. According to Petty and Cacioppos Elaboration Likelihood Model (1986), we argue that discussion via computer could possibly activate the central route more easily than discussion face to face.

The creative link

We analyzed creativity, flow and social network structure of teams in blended setting.We examined relationships between social network indices, flow and creativity performance.Density and decentralization were positively related with both creativity and flow.No relationship was found between social presence and flow.Social network indices can be used to investigate group creativity and flow. We present findings of an exploratory study, which investigated the relationship among the indices of social network structure, flow, and creative performance in students collaborating in a blended setting. Thirty undergraduate students enrolled in a Media Psychology course were assigned to five groups tasked with designing a new technology-based psychological application. Team members collaborated over a twelve-week period using two main modalities: face-to-face meeting sessions in the classroom (once a week) and virtual meetings using a groupware tool. Social network indicators of group interaction and presence indices were extracted from communication logs, whereas flow and product creativity were assessed through survey measures. The findings showed that specific social network indices (in particular those measuring decentralization and neighbor interaction) were positively related to flow experience. More broadly, the results indicated that selected social network indicators could offer useful insight into the creative collaboration process. Theoretical and methodological implications of these results are drawn.

THE EFFECTS OF EXPRESSIVE WRITING ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS

This study investigated whether an Expressive Writing intervention decreased depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms after childbirth. 113 women (M age = 31.26 yr., SD = 4.42) were assessed at Time 1 for depression (Beck Depression Inventory) and PTS (Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire) in the first days after childbirth, then randomized to either expressive writing or neutral writing conditions and reassessed at Time 2, 3 months later. The results (ANCOVAs, regression models) show that at 3 mo. depressive and posttraumatic symptoms were lower in women who performed the expressive writing task than in the neutral writing group. Moreover, the intervention condition was associated significantly with decreased depression at the high and at the mean levels of baseline depression at Time 1. Regarding PTSD, the results showed that the intervention condition was linked significantly to reductions of the symptoms at all levels of baseline PTSD. Mainly, these outcomes suggest that Expressive Writing can be a helpful early and low-cost universal intervention to prevent postpartum distress for women.

Adolescent Men’s Pregnancy Resolution Choices in Relation to an Unintended Pregnancy: A Comparative Analysis of Adolescent Men in Three Countries

This article investigates adolescent men’s pregnancy resolution choices in Australia, Ireland, and Italy. It addresses two main gaps in the literature: the lack of research on (adolescent) men’s views on unintended pregnancy and pregnancy resolution and the lack of international comparative case studies on men and reproductive choices. Consistent with theories of the transformation of intimacies in society and the growth of individualization, the results suggest that adolescent men are interested in the effect of an unintended pregnancy on their individual biographies as well as the effect on their girlfriend’s health and well-being. However, Australian male adolescents were much more likely to choose abortion than Italian or Irish adolescents, suggesting adolescent males have also internalized country-level debates surrounding abortion. Methodologically, the article demonstrates an innovative approach to data collection using a computer-based interactive drama to facilitate participants’ deliberation and responses. It was shown to engage a large number of adolescent men and is likely to have wider generalizability in developing international comparative research on the topic as well as applications for health promotion.

Fattori di rischio e di protezione nella valutazione delle competenze parentali di famiglie italiane e famiglie immigrate

Secondo le stime demografiche piu recenti, la popolazione straniera residente in Italia e triplicata negli ultimi dieci anni. La condizione di migrante pone gli individui e i nuclei familiari in una condizione di particolare vulnerabilita, impegnati nel difficile compito di acculturazione e di mediazione tra la cultura di origine e quella di elezione, spesso in contesti relazionali e materialmente impoveriti. Nell’incontro tra Servizi e famiglie immigrate in condizioni di vulnerabilita, un aspetto di fondamentale importanza risiede nell’accurata valutazione del potenziale di rischio di maltrattamento. L’obiettivo della presente ricerca e quello di valutare l’efficacia del Protocollo sui fattori di rischio e protezione (Di Blasio, 2005) nelle indagini psicosociali con utenza di origine immigrata. A tal fine, sono state confrontate le cartelle sociali di 20 nuclei familiari di origine italiana e di 20 nuclei familiari di origine straniera, giunte all’attenzione dei Servizi per situazioni di vulnerabilita psicosociale e rischio di maltrattamento o abuso nei confronti della prole. I risultati mostrano come i fattori di rischio e di protezione individuati dal protocollo siano in grado sia di discriminare specifiche situazioni di rischio nella condizione di migranti sia di differenziare tra famiglie ad alto e basso rischio indipendentemente dalla provenienza dei nuclei familiari.

PTSD and re-offending risk: the mediating role of worry and a negative perception of other people's support

Background Studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are mainly focused on victims of trauma. Very few studies explored the links between PTSD symptoms and re-offending risk in perpetrators of violence. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the effect of PTSD symptoms on re-offending risk in prisoner populations with a focus on indirect effects of worry and a negative perception of other people’s support on the relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Methods 75 prisoners (25 females, mean age: 44.36 years; 50 males, mean age: 34.7 years) were assessed for exposure to child abuse and neglect, PTSD symptoms, worry, a negative perception of other people’s support and re-offending risk. Mediation analyses tested the indirect effects of worry and a negative perception of other people’s support on the relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Results 72% participants presented PTSD symptoms and 30.7% were at risk of re-offending. Mediation analyses supported the hypothesis of a mediation pathway from PTSD to worry and a negative perception of other people’s support to an increased risk of re-offending. Conclusions The results indicate that prisoners report high rates of PTSD symptoms; furthermore, they highlight an important relationship between PTSD and re-offending risk. Findings suggest that future research should test further the indirect effects of negative cognitive and emotional states on the relationship of PTSD and re-offending risk and explore more in depth the role of PTSD to assess and treat prisoners.

Famiglie italiane e immigrate: identificare fattori di rischio e di protezione nella valutazione delle competenze genitoriali

Il maltrattamento verso i minori costituisce un importante problema di salute pubblica, minacciando l’integrita psicofisica di circa 100.000 minori in Italia. Al fine di meglio tutelare i diritti di crescita di tali minori e favorirne il buon adattamento, e importante individuare precocemente quelli che presentano un elevato rischio di subire condotte maltrattanti. La valutazione del potenziale rischio di maltrattamento e particolarmente complessa se si prendono in esame le famiglie di immigrati, spesso esposte a una condizione di maggiore vulnerabilita. L’obiettivo della presente ricerca e quello di: a) valutare l’efficacia del Protocollo sui fattori di rischio e protezione (Di Blasio, 2005) nel rilevare i minori maggiormente a rischio nelle situazioni di disagio familiare segnalate ai Servizi; e b) individuare specifici profili di rischio e protezione per famiglie italiane ed immigrate. A questo scopo sono state analizzate le cartelle psicosociali di 58 minori di origine italiana e 69 minori di origine straniera segnalati ai servizi di tutela. I risultati mostrano che il protocollo permette di discriminare famiglie a basso e ad alto rischio, indipendentemente dalla provenienza dei nuclei. L’indagine della prevalenza dei fattori del protocollo mostra inoltre come famiglie italiane e straniere si differenzino rispetto a specifici fattori di rischio e di protezione. Le conseguenze in termini di salute pubblica vengono discusse alla luce della letteratura di riferimento.

Child abuse potential inventory in Italy: A comparative study of abusive and nonabusive parents

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the reliability and ability of the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory to discriminate parents in an Italian sample who are physically child abusive and physically nonabusive parents. The CAP Inventory and measures on parenting stress (PSI-SF) and parents’ attributions of child adjustment (CBCL) were administered in a sample of 37 abusive and 102 nonabusive parents in an Italian sample: Both groups of the respondents were similar in age, gender, marital status, and education. The Abuse scale showed adequate internal consistency (α = .86) and 52 items significantly discriminate between abusive and nonabusive parents. Moreover, the mean score of abusive parents (M = 194.5) was significantly higher than the mean score of nonabusive parents (M = 78) and the Abuse scale was correlated with parenting stress and parental perceptions of maladjustment in children (in terms of internalizing and externalizing symptoms). Finally, with the cut-off suggested in the original version of the CAP Inventory (Milner, 1986) when abusive and nonabusive groups are compared (166), the Abuse scale correctly classified 70.3% of the abusive group and 100% of the nonabusive group. These results showed adequate reliability and validity of the Abuse scale for Italy.

Mothers and fathers facing their children’s phenylketonuria

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to understand the impact of children’s phenylketonuria (PKU) on mothers and fathers and to assess the mutual influence of the psychological functioning of one parent on the other. 33 mothers and 33 fathers of PKU-affected children and 43 mothers and 43 fathers of non-PKU-affected children were involved. All of the parents filled out the Los Angeles Symptoms Checklist, the Profile of Mood Scale, the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, and the Coping Health Inventory for Parents. We performed parametric intergroup analysis and multiple regressions. Results pointed out that there is a link between maternal stress and maternal negative states of mind, trauma-related symptoms, and paternal coping strategies. As regards fathers, there is a link between paternal stress and maternal trauma-related symptoms. Our findings suggest it will be important to better investigate the role played by paternal response in supporting mothers of a chronically ill child, since they confirm the importance of taking into account the points of view of both mothers and fathers and their mutual influences in responding to PKU diagnosis.

Networked Flow in musical bands

This study aimed at using the Networked Flow (NF) model to investigate group collaboration in the context of musical bands. We analyzed the relationship between flow, social presence, structural dynamics and performance as they related to 15 bands in a rehearsal room. Flow was measured using the Flow State Scale; social presence was assessed with the Networked Minds Social Presence scale; and interpersonal communication structure (exchange of gazes and verbal orders) was assessed by means of Social Network Analysis (SNA). In addition, we considered: (a) a subjective measure of performance, rated by each member on an ad-hoc questionnaire; and (b) an expert rating of performance, based on the evaluation of audio-video recordings of each group. Findings showed the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social presence and flow. Group flow score was a significant predictor of self-reported performance, but not of expert-evaluated performance. Moreover, several correlations were found between flow, social presence and patterns of interpersonal coordination (both implicit and explicit). Specifically, SNA reveals that flow was positively related to exchanges of gazes and negatively associated with exchanges of orders. Overall, this study contributes to further elucidating the complex interplay between group flow and intersubjective dynamics in music collaboration.