Stefania Cataudella

I precursori della violenza infantile nel periodo perinatale: una review della letteratura

Questa rassegna presenta lo stato attuale delle conoscenze sui precursori della violenza infantile nel periodo perinatale. La letteratura evidenzia fattori di rischio che, se presenti nella vita della donna, si intensificano durante la gravidanza compromettendo la salute psicofisica della madre e del bambino con conseguenze a breve/medio/lungo termine. I fattori individuati sono: individuali (storia di maltrattamento, psicopatologia genitoriale, eta materna, uso di fumo/droghe/alcool); relazionali (violenza domestica, difficolta di interazione madre- neonato); contestuali (svantaggio sociale); caratteristiche del neonato (basso peso neonatale, prematurita, presenza di handicap). La ricerca necessita di approfondimenti relativi a: 1) maggiore comprensione di come i fattori individuali-relazionali-contestuali interagiscano per produrre pattern violenti di comportamento verso la prole; 2) messa a punto di strumenti per lo screening delle popolazioni a rischio nel periodo perinatale.

Personality Similarity and Romantic Relationship Adjustment During the Couple Life Cycle

Over the last decade, a substantial number of studies have focused on the role of personality traits and of the personality trait similarity/dissimilarity in partner selection and in predicting the quality of adult romantic relationships. The present study contributes to this general objective by investigating the correlations between levels of similarity/dissimilarity in partners’ personality profiles, analyzed through the Big Five dimensions, and levels of romantic relationship adjustment at different stage of a couple’s life course. A sample of Italian couples (N = 92 couples; 184 individuals) completed the Big Five Questionnaire and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The results revealed that similarity was not directly related with romantic relationship adjustment. Similarity only affected adjustment in interaction with the length of relationship. Partners reporting high levels of similarity in conscientiousness and openness showed the highest levels of romantic relationship adjustment during the first years of their relationship, while showing lower levels of adjustment as the relationship progressed. The lower levels of romantic relationship adjustment fell within the length of relationship range spanning between 10 and 21 years. These results suggest the importance of considering the life cycle perspective when studying the impact of personality similarity on romantic relationships, as well as suggesting the need to analyze the relationship between personality factors and interpersonal processes in a deeper way particularly in counseling and therapeutic contexts.

Differentiation of Self and Dyadic Adjustment in Couple Relationships:A dyadic analysis using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Bowens multigenerational theory provides an account of how the internalization of experiences within the family of origin promotes development of the ability to maintain a distinct self whilst also making intimate connections with others. Differentiated people can maintain their I-position in intimate relationships. They can remain calm in conflictual relationships, resolve relational problems effectively, and reach compromises. Fusion with others, emotional cut-off, and emotional reactivity instead are common reactions to relational stress in undifferentiated people. Emotional reactivity is the tendency to react to stressors with irrational and intense emotional arousal. Fusion with others is an excessive emotional involvement in significant relationships, whilst emotional cut-off is the tendency to manage relationship anxiety through physical and emotional distance. This study is based on Bowens theory, starting from the assumption that dyadic adjustment can be affected both by a members differentiation of self (actor effect) and by his or her partners differentiation of self (partner effect). We used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to study the relationship between differentiation of self and dyadic adjustment in a convenience sample of 137 heterosexual Italian couples (nonindependent, dyadic data). The couples completed the Differentiation of Self Inventory and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Mens dyadic adjustment depended only on their personal I-position, whereas womens dyadic adjustment was affected by their personal I-position and emotional cut-off as well as by their partners I-position and emotional cut-off. The empirical and clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Psychometric properties of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire and correlates of mother–infant bonding impairment in Italian new mothers

OBJECTIVE impaired maternal bonding is a risk factor for problems with infant well-being and development. The investigation of perinatal variables related to disorders of the mother-infant relationship as well as the administration of reliable and valid screening tools to new mothers in the postpartum can help identify early signs of a disturbed mother-child relationship. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) has been shown to be a valid screening instrument, but its dimensional structure is still controversial. An analysis of the literature demonstrated the need for research into the perinatal correlates of the quality of mother-newborn bonding as measured by the PBQ, and for information about the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the questionnaire. AIM to (a) carry out preliminary analysis of the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the PBQ and (b) explore how mother-infant disturbances are related to relevant perinatal psychological variables. DESIGN the research design consisted of a prenatal and a postnatal phase. SETTING prenatal education classes delivered in public and private institutions. PARTICIPANTS 123 pregnant Italian women were recruited from prenatal education classes. MEASUREMENTS in the prenatal period participants completed a questionnaire measuring maternal-fetal attachment; at the postnatal assessment (3 months postpartum) participants completed the Italian PBQ together with measures of mother-infant attachment, the couples adjustment and maternal psychological well-being. Exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the PBQ. Internal consistencies were evaluated using Cronbachs alpha. Nomological validity was assessed via Pearson correlations. FINDINGS a three-factor model provided the most meaningful representation of the PBQ data, with one factor reflecting annoyance and anger towards the infant, another reflecting detachment and rejection and the third reflecting anxiety about infant care. Internal consistencies were good. Impaired mother-infant bonding was negatively correlated with prenatal and postnatal mother-infant attachment and couple adjustment, as well as being positively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE the Italian PBQ is a reliable, valid screening instrument and can be used for research, including transcultural comparisons in perinatal psychiatry. It can also be used clinically to detect signs of a disordered mother-child relationship. Knowledge of the variables generally associated with mother-infant bonding problems combined with data from postpartum administration of the PBQ could be used in midwifery to develop preventive programmes based on the specific needs of new mothers.

FATHER IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD: NEW RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

The referential cycle described by Wilma Bucci predicts that during the session – and more generally during the therapeutic path – three phases alternate: a) arousal of the emotion schemas within the patient-therapist relationship, b) symbolization by the patient trying to translate into words his/her experiences with the therapist collaboration, and c) reorganization/reflection in which patient and therapist try to recognize and understand the emotional significance of patient’s experiences. So far, to monitor the development of these three phases during the sessions therapists and researchers could use their own clinical sensitivity or the referential activity computerized measures, which however need the session verbatim transcription. In order to develop a parallel and less time-consuming method we built up a self-report questionnaire that measures the main dimensions of the referential activity and cycle. For three months seven therapists have completed it online to evaluate 255 sessions, right at their conclusion. The factorial analysis revealed a factorial structure consistent with the measured constructs and a high internal consistency of the subscales. The utility of the scale will be highlighted both for therapists and researchers: the T-RAPS is a useful monitoring and supervision tool applicable by therapists of any orientation and can be correlated with the other main clinical constructs as well as with the referential activity computerized measures. Furthermore, the previewed construction of the patient version of the scale will allow for a more complete and multifaceted overview of the referential cycle.

The beginning of the father -child relationship: exploring the influence of intra and interpersonal variables on the PFA (paternal-fetal attachment)

The referential cycle described by Wilma Bucci predicts that during the session – and more generally during the therapeutic path – three phases alternate: a) arousal of the emotion schemas within the patient-therapist relationship, b) symbolization by the patient trying to translate into words his/her experiences with the therapist collaboration, and c) reorganization/reflection in which patient and therapist try to recognize and understand the emotional significance of patient’s experiences. So far, to monitor the development of these three phases during the sessions therapists and researchers could use their own clinical sensitivity or the referential activity computerized measures, which however need the session verbatim transcription. In order to develop a parallel and less time-consuming method we built up a self-report questionnaire that measures the main dimensions of the referential activity and cycle. For three months seven therapists have completed it online to evaluate 255 sessions, right at their conclusion. The factorial analysis revealed a factorial structure consistent with the measured constructs and a high internal consistency of the subscales. The utility of the scale will be highlighted both for therapists and researchers: the T-RAPS is a useful monitoring and supervision tool applicable by therapists of any orientation and can be correlated with the other main clinical constructs as well as with the referential activity computerized measures. Furthermore, the previewed construction of the patient version of the scale will allow for a more complete and multifaceted overview of the referential cycle.

Prenatal Attachment Inventory: expanding the reliability and validity evidence using a sample of Italian women

Abstract Background: The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) is a widely used questionnaire to measure prenatal attachment. However, its internal structure is controversial. None of the previous studies have investigated the dimensions of the Italian version of the scale using both an exploratory and a confirmatory approach. There is also a need to explore extensively the external validity of the Italian PAI. Objective: We designed a study aimed at shedding further light on the dimensionality of the questionnaire and expanding the evidence of its reliability and validity. Method: Five-hundred and thirty-five Italian expectant mothers participated in the prenatal phase; a subsample of 100 women participated in the postnatal phase of the study. The PAI was administered together with other scales measuring maternal–fetal attachment, psychological wellbeing and relational variables. Results: The hypothesised relationships with external criteria were substantiated overall. The five dimensions described in the Italian study by Barone, Lionetti, and Dellagiulia also emerged from our factor analyses, with the exception of two items. Internal consistency was adequate for the total scale and for four of the five subscales. Conclusion: As the Fantasy subscale showed poor internal consistency, we advise against its use as an independent measure. However, when used as a global score, the PAI is a reliable and valid measure of prenatal attachment in Italian women. Thus, it can be used for research purposes. The use of the PAI could also be very helpful in clinical settings, in order to identify expectant mothers who have difficulty in establishing an affective bond with their unborn infants. To this end, further research should study the characteristics of the PAI on high-risk groups and clinical samples in order to obtain clinical cut-offs.

Migrazione: minori e genitori tra vulnerabilità e potenzialità

I bambini e gli adolescenti di origine straniera sono oggi una realta stabile e in crescita nel nostro Paese. L’esperienza migratoria, in eta evolutiva, rende il processo di costruzione dell’identita estremamente complesso. Obiettivo: Comprendere gli effetti della migrazione sulla capacita di adattamento di questi minori ed intraprendere una rivisitazione delle metodologie d’intervento al fine di ridefinire il rapporto cura-ontesto. La cornice teorica dell’attaccamento, come teoria del ciclo di vita, permette di porre l’attenzione sulla qualita delle esperienze attuali, esperienze che, se favoriscono il “sentirsi sicuri”, permettono di contrastare la potenzialita traumatica della migrazione. Metodologia: Vengono analizzati rischi e potenzialita del fenomeno dal punto di vista della genitorialita e dei minori (di prima e seconda generazione e adottati). Conclusioni: Si individua la necessita di: approfondire gli studi trans-culturali sul parenting; analizzare i processi di adattamento in particolare dei minori di seconda generazione che, trovandosi in una fase piu avanzata del processo migratorio, potrebbero fornire chiavi di lettura utili per individuare strategie di adattamento; ridefinire il processo di valutazione/cura, tenendo conto delle differenze culturali, al fine di strutturare una relazione capace di contenere ed integrare aspetti diversi radicandoli nella cultura attuale di riferimento