Body Uneasiness Test Research Articles

Sexual habits among Italian transgender adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

Recent studies showed that transgender (TGN) adolescents are more at risk of negative sexual outcomes than their peers. However, little is known about the psychopathological and sociodemographic correlates of sexual-related experiences in TGN adolescents. This cross-sectional study aimed at overcoming this limitation describing this association in a sample of 18 transgirls and 32 transboys recruited at the Gender Clinic of the University of Florence between 2015 and 2020. Clinical, sociodemographic, and sexual-related features were collected through a face-to-face interview and anamnestic forms. Self-report questionnaires were administered to evaluate gender dysphoria (Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults), emotional and behavioral problems (Youth Self Report), and body uneasiness (Body Uneasiness Test). The percentage of subjects reporting to have had at least one romantic relationship in life was 62.5% among transboys and 16.7% in transgirls (ORsex = 8.65, p < 0.01), whereas 28.1% of transboys and 5.6% of transgirls were sexually active (ORsex = 6.63, p > 0.05). A worse psychological functioning and risk-taking behaviors were associated with being sexually active (p < 0.05). These results underline the deep interconnection between psychological vulnerability and sexual-related features in TGN adolescents, confirming the importance of developing gender inclusive sex education programs to prevent negative sexual outcomes in this population.

Anomalous self-experience, body image disturbance, and eating disorder symptomatology in first-onset anorexia nervosa

PurposeAnorexia nervosa-restrictive subtype (AN-R) is a life-threatening disorder relying on behavioural abnormalities, such as excessive food restriction or exercise. Such abnormalities may be secondary to an “objectified” attitude toward body image and self. This is the first study exploring the impact of anomalous self-experience (ASEs) on abnormal body image attitude and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in individuals with AN-R at onset.MethodsWe recruited Italian female participants, 40 with AN-R (mean age 18.3 ± 2.3) and 45 age and educational level-matched healthy controls (HCs) (mean age 18.2 ± 2.6). ASEs, body image attitude, and ED symptom severity were assessed through the examination of anomalous self-experience (EASE), the body uneasiness test (BUT), and the eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-Q), respectively. We conducted multivariate analysis of variance to investigate distribution patterns of variables of interest, and mediation analysis to test the effect of ASEs and body image on ED symptomatology.ResultsIndividuals with AN-R scored higher than HCs on the EASE (p < .0001). A direct effect of ASEs on ED severity (p = 0.009; bootstrapped LLCI = 0.067, ULCI = 0.240) was found in AN-R. After modelling the effect of abnormal body image attitude, the relationship between EASE total score and ED symptomatology was significantly mediated by BUT (p = 0.002; bootstrapped LLCI = 0.001, ULCI = 0.172).ConclusionAlthough the exact pathways linking AN-R to self-disorder remain to be identified, a broader exploration of transdiagnostic features in AN, including explorations of different dimensions of self-experience and intersubjectivity, may shed further light on the clinical phenomenology of the disorder.Level of evidenceLevel III, case–control analytic study.

Boredom, alexithymia, and desire thinking in eating disorders: a cross-sectional study

Background: Eating disorders (ED) can be considered in terms of affective disorders. In this perspective, abnormal eating behaviors would be dysfunctional defensive behaviors related to difficulties to recognize and modulate traumatic emotional experiences. The aim of this study is to explore the associations between alexithymia, boredom, impulsiveness, and desire thinking in subjects with eating disorders. Methods: 45 patients with ED and 45 healthy controls completed the following questionnaires: Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, Desire Thinking Questionnaire, Body Uneasiness Test and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire. Results: Our results seem to confirm that alexithymia, boredom, impulsivity, and desire thinking are strictly related in ED. In particular, difficulties in identifying feelings contribute to determine boredom experiences which, in turn, contribute significantly to structure body image disorders. Conclusions: This study adds new insights into the associations between alexithymia, boredom, impulsiveness, and desire thinking in subjects with eating disorders. Future areas of investigation could better explore the role of boredom experiences in structuring body image dissatisfaction and its relationship with alexithymia.

Posttraumatic cognitions predict distorted body perceptions in women with dissociative identity disorder

BackgroundDissociative identity disorder (DID) is a psychobiological syndrome associated with a history of exposure to childhood abuse and neglect. The consequences of these traumatic events often include a profound impact on the way individuals inhabit and experience their bodies. Despite this, there is a paucity of empirical research on the subject. The aim of this study was to systematically document the occurrence of distorted body perceptions in DID and examine childhood maltreatment, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, and posttraumatic cognitions as predictors of distorted body perceptions in DID. MethodsParticipants were adult women with histories of childhood abuse and neglect and a current DID diagnosis receiving treatment at a psychiatric care facility. Data were obtained through a battery of self-report measures, including the Body Uneasiness Test, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, PTSD Checklist for DMS-5, and Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. ResultsA series of unpaired t-tests documented elevated levels of weight phobia, body image concerns, body avoidance, compulsive self-monitoring, and depersonalization in DID compared to published non-clinical data on the Body Uneasiness Test. A series of multiple regression models including measures of childhood trauma, PTSD symptoms, and posttraumatic cognitions demonstrated that over and above childhood trauma and PTSD symptom severity, posttraumatic cognitions significantly predicted distorted body perceptions. ConclusionsIn a treatment-seeking sample of women with DID, distorted body perceptions were elevated. Furthermore, posttraumatic cognitive distortions significantly predicted distorted body perceptions when controlling for childhood maltreatment and PTSD symptom severity. This suggests that distorted cognitions are a key target for therapeutic intervention.

Understanding the link between interoceptive deficits and binge eating symptoms among adolescents: A serial mediation analysis

The aim of this study was to assess relevant psychological predictors of binge eating behaviors in a non-clinical sample of Italian male and female adolescents. To do so, 120 adolescents aged 17-21 years participated in a cross-sectional study. Cognitive-affective components of binge eating symptoms (BES) were assessed with the Binge Eating Scale. Difficulty recognizing and accurately identifying internal emotional states was assessed with the Interoceptive Deficits (ID) subscale of the Eating Disorders Inventory-3. Body uneasiness (BU) was measured using the Body Uneasiness Test. Negative affectivity (PA, NA) was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Based on Pearson’s correlations results, we conducted a mediation model analysis to examine whether the ID-BES relationship was mediated by NA and BU. Examined relationships were preserved after controlling for the effect of age, gender and BMI. The current study’s findings contribute to clarify the role that BU-related NA may play on ID in the appearance of BES and provide preliminary support for the potential role of NA and BU as self-regulatory mechanisms involved in this association.

The relation between sexuality and obesity: the role of psychological factors in a sample of obese men undergoing bariatric surgery.

Obesity produces a significant deterioration in general and sexual health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the impact of obesity on sexuality, illustrating the psychological constructs that may play a significant role in determining sexual functioning and satisfaction. During the psychological assessment for bariatric surgery eligibility, 171 obese men filled out a socio-demographic questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the 20 Item-Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Body Uneasiness Test, and the Obesity-related Disability test. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses highlighted how obese men sexual desire (F(11,159) = 10.128, p < 0.001), erectile function (F(10,160) = 63.578, p < 0.001), orgasmic function (F(10,160) = 33.967, p < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (F(7,163) = 159.752, p < 0.001), and general satisfaction (F(10,160) = 18.707, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with other IIEF sexual domains, difficulties in identifying feelings, psychopathological symptoms (such as depression and paranoid ideation), body image, and quality of life. Findings are useful for deepening understanding of obese male sexual response, and more generally, for analyzing the complex and multivariate relation between obesity and sexuality, supporting the need of a multidisciplinary approach to obesity care that includes professionals with specific training in sexology.

What is the \u201cweight\u201d of body mass index on sexual functioning in women? A mediation model

PurposeIt is well known that body mass index (BMI) affects how individuals perceive their well-being and that obese individuals tend to report poorer levels of subjective health status. The aim of this study was to compare subjects with and without FSD and to examine the direct and indirect impact of BMI on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in overweight/obese and normal-weight women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 186 overweight/obese and 233 normal-weight women. FSD assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was investigated in relation to body satisfaction assessed with the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT-A) and self-esteem assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE).ResultsNo difference in the prevalence of FSD was found between overweight/obese (44.4%) and normal-weight women (55.6%), even though significant between-group differences in body image were found. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) showed that BMI contribute to FSD only through the mediating role of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem.ConclusionsThe present results support the notion that sexual functioning is not related directly to BMI in women but to a more complex interactions of body weight, satisfaction with one’s own body image, and levels of self-esteem. Clinicians should take into account that for women having a good sexual life seems not related to body weight but to the way their body weight is perceived within the context of self-image.Level of evidenceLevel III, case–control analytic study.

Adolescents and Body Uneasiness: the Contribution of Supportive Parenting and Trait Emotional Intelligence

This study aims to understand the mechanisms that link trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) and parenting in contributing to the development of body uneasiness in adolescents. Participants were 405 adolescents (152 males, 253 females), from 14 to 19 years old, who completed the Perceptions of Parents Scales, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Adolescent Form, and the Body Uneasiness Test. Results confirmed that higher adolescents’ body uneasiness was predicted by lower perceived parental support and lower adolescent trait EI. Furthermore, our findings showed that trait EI had a mediational effect on the relation between the parenting dimension of autonomy-support and body uneasiness. These results shed light on the relationship between positive parenting practices and higher adolescents’ trait EI, which act together as protective factors of adolescents’ body uneasiness.

The ageing body: contributing attitudinal factors towards perceptual body size estimates in younger and middle-aged women

Over-estimation of body size, a core feature of eating disorders (EDs), has been well-documented both in young healthy and ED individuals. Yet, evidence that altered body perception might also affect older women is limited. Here, we examined whether attitudinal components of body image (i.e. the feelings an individual has about their body size and shape) might affect perceived actual and ideal body shape self-estimates in midlife, similarly to younger women. Thirty-two younger (mean age, 24.22 years) and 33 middle-aged (mean age, 53.79 years) women took part to a computerized body perception assessment of perceived, actual and ideal aspects of body image. Body mass index (BMI), societal and interpersonal aspects of appearance ideals, measured by means of Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-4), and assessment of body uneasiness and concerns for specific body parts, measured by Body Uneasiness Test (BUT-A/B) scales, were also investigated. Younger and middle-aged women with larger BMI showed greater discrepancy in perceptual distortions from their perceived actual body size. However, middle-aged women with greater body part concerns overestimated their perceived body size, as opposed to younger women who were almost accurate. Unlike middle-aged women, younger women with higher body part concerns desired slimmer ideal body image than their perceived actual. Results suggest that distortions in the perceived actual and ideal body size self-estimates of younger and middle-aged women are best explained by a combination of BMI, body part concerns and the particular age group to which a participant belonged. In the future, a personalized approach for the assessment of women’s perceptions and concerns of specific body areas during lifespan should be adopted.

Impulsive behaviors and clinical outcomes following a flexible intensive inpatient treatment for eating disorders: findings from an observational study.

The aim of the study was to assess the differences between impulsive and non-impulsive patients in response to a multidisciplinary intensive inpatient treatment for eating disorders (EDs). 320 patients with EDs were consecutively recruited in an eating disorders unit (EDU). They were assessed by clinical interviews and self-reported questionnaires. The treatment was characterized by a patient-centric approach and included both an intensive and comprehensive standardized multidisciplinary program based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and a flexible and personalized component according to the needs and the history of each patient. Impulsive ED patients showed greater improvement in specific psychopathological areas, in particular: interpersonal sensitivity of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) (p = 0.007); Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) Global Score (p = 0.009), EDE-Q eating concern (p < 0.001) and EDE-Q shape concern (p = 0.025). The two groups also showed a different pattern on the Body Uneasiness Test, with impulsive patients uniquely showing improvement on Global Severity Index (p = 0.006), body image concern (p = 0.008), compulsive self monitoring (p = 0.002), and weight phobia (p = 0.037). Results support the hypothesis that patients with impulsive behaviors might benefit from treatments characterized by a standardized cognitive behavioral therapy implemented by third-wave interventions according to each patient's clinical profile. Personalized treatment approaches could be an answer to the complexity of ED, addressing individual psychopathology. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. III, cohort or case-control analytic studies.

A Multi-Method Assessment in Adolescent and Adult Females with Giant Congenital Melanocytic Naevus and their Families: Body Image and Psychological Adjustment

Background: Giant Congenital Melanocytic Naevus (GCMN) is a morphological skin alteration present from birth, involving up to 80% of the body surface. GCMN could have a detrimental effect on body perception due to several factors including its aspect, extension and the potential exposure to significant number of surgical interventions. Objective: This pilot study assessed quality of Body Image (BI) and psychological adjustment in subjects with GCMN and their parents. Methods: Subjects and parents underwent a multi-method assessment including a semi-structured interview, a self-administered rating scale to assess BI (Body Uneasiness Test, BUT) and two personality tests: A self-report (MMPI-2RF/A) and a performance test (Rorschach, R-PAS method). Results: Ten families were enrolled in the study. GCMN subjects were all females with high average surgical interventions (median=13). In GCMNs a substantial impairment of BI was detected by the BUT (global severity index=2.34 ± 0.81; Body Image Concern=3.25 ± 0.95), MMPI-2RF/A presented normal ranges and R-PAS showed elevations for the quality of human representations (PHR/GPHR: 119.1 ± 8.1). Mothers showed a trend for health concerns at MMPI-2RF (Malaise: 64.2 ± 9.5), fathers showed under-reporting in almost all tests. Conclusion: This set of GCMN females with relevant surgical history shows significant BI impairment with several aspects of non-integrated body identity at unconscious level, that may result in inability to envision the self and relations with others in adaptive way. Parents show different profiles, including conscious health concerns in mothers and denial in fathers. Families with a GCMN subject could benefit from integrated approaches including medical advice, psychological support and social integration projects.

Body perception treatment, a possible way to treat body image disturbance in eating disorders: a case-control efficacy study.

The body image disturbance (BID) is a common symptom in eating disorders, often observed and described in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Recently, this symptom has also been observed in binge eating disorder (BED). The research underlines that the BID presents three different altered components: affective, cognitive, and perceptual one. Current treatments for BID have mainly focused on the affective and cognitive components. Nowadays, the need emerges for treatments focused also on the perceptual component of the BID. In this paper, we present the results of an efficacy study on the body perception treatment (BPT), a new treatment for BID focused on the perceptual component of the disorder. We looked for an additional treatment effect on a protocol for ED inpatients to evaluate the efficacy of BPT. We performed the study through statistical analysis of admission and discharge scores. We conducted a case-control study in a hospital ward specialized in eating disorders. Two groups were identified: the control group (TAU; N = 91) and the experimental group (TAU + BPT; N = 91). The experimental group performed BTP activities in addition to the treatment at usual. All patients in both groups had an eating disorder diagnosis (AN, BN, BED and EDNOS/OSFED). Sampling occurred on a time basis and not by randomization. Moreover, all patients admitted in the ED hospital ward in the time frame considered (from end-2009 to mid-2017) were included in the study. BPT activities were introduced in mid-2013 and three psychometric instruments upon entry and discharge were used: Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) to measure the general psychopathological state; the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) to estimate the incidence of personality traits strongly correlated to eating disorders; the body uneasiness test (BUT) to measure the body uneasiness. We performed a pre/post analysis for both groups; we studied the additional effect of the treatment through deltas analysis of the three questionnaires (Δ = assessment at discharge - assessment at the entrance). Data were analyzed using the Student T and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The pre/post analysis showed statistically significant improvement in both conditions (TAU and TAU + BPT) in the general psychopathological state (SCL-90) and in the incidence of personality traits (EDI-3). Improvements in body uneasiness (BUT) were observed only in the experimental group (TAU + BPT). Furthermore, the analysis of the deltas shows more significant improvements in TAU + BPT compared to TAU in all the variables considered. We found an additional effect of the BPT on TAU. The usual ED protocol added with BPT activities showed significantly better clinical results. We have interpreted these results in light of recent developments in the neuroscientific field of body image. Level II: controlled trial without randomization.

Psychobiotics Regulate the Anxiety Symptoms in Carriers of Allele A of IL-1β Gene: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background Probiotic oral intake, via modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, can impact brain activity, mood, and behavior; therefore, it may be beneficial against psychological distress and anxiety disorders. Inflammatory cytokines can influence the onset and progression of several neurodegenerative mood disorders, and the IL-1β rs16944 SNP is related to high cytokine levels and potentially affects mood disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of IL-1β polymorphism and probiotic administration in mood disorder phenotypes in the Italian population. Methods 150 subjects were randomized into two different groups, probiotic oral suspension group (POSG) and placebo control group (PCG), and received the relative treatment for 12 weeks. Psychological profile assessment by Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL90R) was administered to all volunteers. Genotyping was performed on DNA extracted from salivary samples. Results After 12 weeks of intervention, a significant reduction of HAM-A total score was detected in the POSG (p < 0.01), compared to the PCG. Furthermore, IL-1β carriers have moderate risk to develop anxiety (OR = 5.90), and in POSG IL-1β carriers, we observed a reduction of HAM-A score (p = 0.02). Conclusions Consumption of probiotics mitigates anxiety symptoms, especially in healthy adults with the minor A allele of rs16944 as a risk factor. Our results encourage the use of probiotics in anxiety disorders and suggest genetic association studies for psychobiotic-personalized therapy.

Gender differences in body image dissatisfaction: The role of physical education and sport

Body image is a multidimensional construct encompassing how we perceive, think, feel, and act toward our bodies and lies on a continuum from healthy body perceptions to unhealthy body perceptions. Previous researches suggest that adolescent girls experience higher levels of body dissatisfaction than do their male counterparts. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate on gender differences concerning the perceived body dissatisfaction and uneasiness by adolescents and the role played by the physical education in the process of positive development of the mental representation of the corporeity. 100 students (14-15 years) participated voluntarily in the study and were assigned to trained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) regularly practicing sports outside the school hours, or untrained group (n = 50; 25M, 25F) did not practice any extracurricular physical activity in the period before the study. After anthropometric measurements (BMI), two standardized psychological tests to assess the degree of personal satisfaction towards their body were administered (i.e., Body uneasiness test (BUT) and contour drawing rating scale (CDRS)). BUT and CDRS scores were significantly lower for total trained group and trained females (p < 0.05). Also, total trained group and males and females trained showed a significant lower BMI (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the untrained and trained males for BUT and CDRS. Findings showed a better body-size perception and a smaller body uneasiness by trained adolescents. Moreover, girls showed anyway a greater dissatisfaction and uneasiness with the external appearance compared to their male counterpart.

Sport Activity as Risk or Protective Factor in Feeding and Eating Disorder.

Emerging evidence suggests controversial results on the associations between sport activity and eating disorders (EDs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sport activity in general, weight-dependent/independent sport activity particularly, and risk or protective factors in feeding and eating disorder (FED). The sample (n = 282, divided into two successive groups), included competitive athletes in the first analysis, non-competitive athletes, and sedentary peers; in the second analysis it has been divided into weight-dependent athletes, weight-independent athletes, non-competitive athletes, and sedentary peers. The participants were tested with Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire, Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and Body Uneasiness Test (BUT). The results show higher levels of self-esteem among athletes in general and particularly in weight-independent athletes (p = 0.0210). We found higher levels of image and body dissatisfaction among sedentary peers and weight-dependent athletes (0.0005 < p < 0.0015). Sedentary peers also reported higher levels of tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, confusion/bewilderment and fatigue/inertia (0.0001 < p < 0.0331). Dieting and oral control were found to be higher among weight-dependent athletes (0.0337 < p < 0.0400). The findings suggest that sedentary condition is associated with higher levels of body-image discomfort and higher level of psychological distress, whereas weight-dependent athletes may report dietary issues and bodily concerns. Sport activity should be promoted and specific trainings on diet and body-consciousness encouraged among athletes.

Valutazione Del Benessere Psico-Fisico Nell’aderenza Terapeutica Nelle Donne Con Malattia Renale Policistica Autosomica Dominante: Uno Studio Osservazionale

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited renal disease and affects less than 1 every 400-1,000 people. There are many effective treatments, including blood pressure management, physical activity, low sodium diet and hydration. Therapeutic education is part of a patient’s care and treatment. This approach is an essential strategy in order to face the current healthcare scenario, in which the number of people affected by chronic diseases is progressively increasing. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to analyze the effect of therapeutic education in patients with ADPKD, the level of adherence to pharmacological therapy and their compliance to dietetic and lifestyle recommendations as part of a nursing-led education. METHODS: This is a prospective, longitudinal, observational pilot study. The following measurements were used: Kidney Disease Quality of life - Short Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Body Uneasiness Test. At the T0 visit, a nurse selected patients and carried out a personalized educational intervention with the aims of adhering to drug therapies, monitoring blood pressure and dietary behavior (physical activity and water intake). At the T1 visit, patients performed psychological tests. At the T2 visit, the following evaluations were performed: a psychological interview together with the delivery and evaluation of the tests performed, an interview with the nurse to evaluate the adherence to the prescriptions, and a control of parameters such as physical activity, diet, water intake, drug therapy, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Therapeutic education can have a positive impact on patients’ health by improving adherence to the pharmacological therapy, diet and lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic education improve the patient’s knowledge, treatments and correct behaviors as well as promotes an independent management of the disease. Through an educational intervention, the patient acquires the ability and the awareness to modify the wrong behaviors and to guarantee a balance between his needs and the pathology, thus improving the quality of life.

Valutazione Del Benessere Psico-Fisico Nell’aderenza Terapeutica Nelle Donne Con Malattia Renale Policistica Autosomica Dominante: Uno Studio Osservazionale

Evaluation Of The Psychophysical Well-Being In The Compliance Of Women With Autosomal Dominant Policystic Kidney Disease: An Observational Study BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited renal disease and affects less than 1 every 400-1,000 people. There are many effective treatments, including blood pressure management, physical activity, low sodium diet and hydration. Therapeutic education is part of a patient’s care and treatment. This approach is an essential strategy in order to face the current healthcare scenario, in which the number of people affected by chronic diseases is progressively increasing. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to analyze the effect of therapeutic education in patients with ADPKD, the level of adherence to pharmacological therapy and their compliance to dietetic and lifestyle recommendations as part of a nursing-led education. METHODS: This is a prospective, longitudinal, observational pilot study. The following measurements were used: Kidney Disease Quality of life - Short Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Body Uneasiness Test. At the T0 visit, a nurse selected patients and carried out a personalized educational intervention with the aims of adhering to drug therapies, monitoring blood pressure and dietary behavior (physical activity and water intake). At the T1 visit, patients performed psychological tests. At the T2 visit, the following evaluations were performed: a psychological interview together with the delivery and evaluation of the tests performed, an interview with the nurse to evaluate the adherence to the prescriptions, and a control of parameters such as physical activity, diet, water intake, drug therapy, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Therapeutic education can have a positive impact on patients’ health by improving adherence to the pharmacological therapy, diet and lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic education improve the patient’s knowledge, treatments and correct behaviors as well as promotes an independent management of the disease. Through an educational intervention, the patient acquires the ability and the awareness to modify the wrong behaviors and to guarantee a balance between his needs and the pathology, thus improving the quality of life.

Psychopathological and psychiatric evaluation of patients affected by lipodystrophy.

Lipodystrophy is a collection of rare disorders defined by complete or partial loss of adipose tissue, due to abnormal adipocyte production, function, or distribution; it shares the main metabolic complications with obesity. Aims of the present study were to investigate the psychopathological characteristics of non-HIV lipodystrophic patients in comparison with a group of obese patients, a group of patients affected by oncologic chronic illness, and a control group of healthy subjects. All participants were female: 16 non-HIV lipodystrophic women (mean age 42 ± 12years), 20 women with breast cancer (adenocarcinoma with a positive sentinel lymph node in outpatients awaiting chemotherapy, mean age 44 ± 5years), 20 obese women (mean age 40 ± 3years), and 20 healthy women (mean age 40 ± 2years). Each lipodystrophic patient received a psychiatric assessment, following the diagnostic criteria for DSM-5. Patients and controls received a battery of self-report instruments measuring general psychopathology, body image concerns, eating habits and food craving, and pain concerns. The following psychopathological rating scales were used: SCL-90-R (Symptom Check List) for general psychopathology, BUT (Body Uneasiness Test) for body image, FCQ-T (Food Cravings Questionnaire Trait) for food craving, and WHYMPI (West Haven Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory) for multidimensional pain inventory. The psychiatric assessment of the 16 lipodystrophic patients revealed: three lifetime mood disorder, six current mood disorder, six lifetime anxiety disorder, five current anxiety disorder, four current somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain, six current binge eating disorder, 11 eating disorder not otherwise specified, two borderline personality disorder, one obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, one avoidant personality disorder, and five personality disorder not otherwise specified. In SCL-90-R scale, the subscale sensitivity showed a significantly higher score in the lipodystrophic and oncologic groups compared to healthy subjects. The subscale paranoid ideation showed a significantly higher score in the lipodystrophic group vs all the other groups. The total score of BUT scale was significantly higher in the lipodystrophic compared to healthy subjects. In WHYMPI scale, the scores of pain interference and family support were significantly higher in the lipodystrophic group. The scores of negative responses were significantly higher in the lipodystrophic group vs healthy subjects. In FCQ-T scale, the score of Cues dimension in lipodystrophic patients was significantly lower as compared with all the other groups. Our findings suggest that lipodystrophic patients have an increased prevalence of mood, anxiety, pain, and eating disorders. Level III. Evidence obtained fromcase-control analytic study.

PS-01-010 The influence of body image and psychological wellbeing on sexual functioning assessed according to a gender perspective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between sexual functioning, psychological wellbeing and body image in a gender-dependent manner. We recruited a sample of 201 university students (males: n=102; females: n=99) and we administered them the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) and the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). A first comparison of means revealed that females show more pathological scores in body image and sexual functioning compared to males (Figure 1). Regression analysis revealed that in males, personal growth and environmental mastery of PWB has a protective role against sexual problems (β=-305; p=.04 and β=-431; p=.005, respectively). Autonomy of PWB protects from sexual dissatisfaction (β=-238; p=.046) and self-acceptance contrasts the non-sensuality (β=-475; p=.01). Interestingly, depersonalization scale of BUT is negatively related to impotence scale of GRISS (β=-368; p=.03). In females, we found a predictive role of avoidance scale of BUT on total score and infrequence scales of GRISS (β=271; p=.006 and β=266; p=.02, respectively), while self-acceptance of PWB is protective on total score of GRISS(β=-.587; p=.0001). Instead GSI of BUT predicts sexual problems as assessed with total score of GRISS (β=3.521; p=.002). Interestingly, weight phobia of BUT protects from sexual dissatisfaction (β=-.727; p=.02) and self-acceptance of PWB also protects from sexual avoidance (β=-.571; p=.003). Environmental mastery protects by vaginismus (β=-.352; p=.001) and anorgasmia (β=-.331; p=.03), while purpose in life predicts vaginismus (β=-.339; p=.03).

PS-06-004 Psychosexual correlates of unwanted sexual experiences in women consulting for female sexual dysfunction according to their timing across the life span

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of unwanted sexual experiences (USEs) in a setting of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and to examine whether they are associated with different psychosexual parameters depending on the timing of occurrence. A consecutive series of 200 heterosexual women attending our clinic for FSD was consecutively recruited. Patients underwent a structured interview and completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ), the Female Sexual Distress Scale Revised (FSDS-R), the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), and the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire (CECA-Q). 47 women (23.5%) reported USEs, occurring in childhood (<14 years), adolescence (<17 and ≥14), and adult life (≥17) in 38.3% (n=18), 31.9% (n=15), and 29.8% (n=14) of cases, respectively. We observed an association between history of lifetime USEs and indexes of psychopathology, specifically diagnosis of psychiatric diseases, use of psychiatric medications, and anxiety symptoms (MHQ free-floating anxiety score, MHQ-A). USEs were associated with lower orgasm ability (FSFI orgasm domain), higher sexually related distress levels (FSDS-R total score), and higher body image concerns (BUT) including depersonalization symptoms. Notably, women exposed to USEs in adolescence reported a stronger impairment of arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction domains and higher sexual distress when compared to women without a history of USEs or reporting USEs in childhood. Women exposed to USEs in childhood exhibited higher body image concerns and depersonalization symptoms when compared to those not reporting USEs.