High Hostility Research Articles

How do victims of bullying develop depression? Testing interpersonal style to explain the victimization-depression link.

This study tested to what extent the relation between bullying victimization and future symptoms of depression could be explained by victims being more hostile and less assertive than non-involved individuals. Data came from waves 2-4 of the Dutch TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS). Participants' bullying experiences were assessed at age 13, interpersonal style at age 16, and depression symptoms at age 19. Mediation analyses were performed primarily on 274 self-reported victims and 1498 non-involved peers. Self-reported victims had an increased risk for depression symptoms. About a third of that risk could be explained by victims' hostile style, which was also higher than those of non-involved peers. Although victims also reported lower levels of assertiveness than non-involved peers, this interpersonal style did not mediate the link between bullying victimization and depression. Our findings suggest that high hostility, but not low assertiveness, partly explains the increased depression risk of self-reported victims. Therefore, interventions could focus on addressing hostility, to help reduce the likelihood that adolescents who have experienced bullying victimization will have more interpersonal conflicts and mental health problems in the future. Supplementary materials also include analyses for bullies and bully-victims, and for peer-reported measures.

Антисоциальная креативность и личностные характеристики юношей в разных социально-политических условиях: связь и взаимодействие

Background. The relevance of the study is associated with the activation of malevolent creativity at the macro level in the form of information wars and isolation of Russia, which create threatening socio-political conditions, against the background of the special military operation in Ukraine. Objectives. Objective of the study was to find out whether there are differences at the micro-level in different socio-political conditions in malevolent creativity as well as to identify its connections with personal characteristics: hostility, the trait of “Agreeableness”, and moral identity. The following hypotheses were formulated: 1. The level of antisocial creativity varies in different contexts and will be higher in threatening socio-political conditions and 2. the relationship between such personal characteristics as hostility, Agreeableness, moral identity, and malevolent creativity will be different in different socio-political conditions. Study Participants. The study is a cross-sectional one. The first stage was carried out in 2019 with the participation of 81 young students from one of Moscow universities (mean age 19.2, SD = 1.2). 152 young students of the same Moscow university took part at the second stage in 2023 (mean age 19.1, SD = 1.29). Methods. Participants filled out forms with the questionnaires “NEO-FFI” (a shortened version of the questionnaire “NEO PI-R”), BRAQ-24, moral identity questionnaire, “Behavioral features of antisocial creativity”. Results. It is shown that there are differences in variables at the microsystem level in different sociopolitical conditions: MC and hostility are significantly lower, and moral identity and cooperation are significantly higher in the sample of 2023. The predictors of MC in the sample of 2023 were the traits of Agreeableness and hostility. In the sample of 2019, the trait of Agreeableness alone predicted MC. Differences in the strength of the relationship between the variables were revealed: in the sample of 2023, the relationship of hostility with antisocial creativity and the trait of Cooperation was significantly stronger than in the sample of 2019. Conclusions. In threatening socio-political conditions, young people with high hostility and low level on the “Agreeableness” trait fall into the risk group, due to the high probability of the realization of creativity in behavior that harms other people, while realization of MC in behavior may be restrained through actualizing moral identity. In a calm and peaceful period, moral identity and hostility are less relevant for the implementation of MC in harmful behavior, since the development of “Agreeableness” is important in this case.

Особенности связи антисоциальной креативности и понимания собственных эмоций

<p style="text-align: justify;">As part of the reduction of psychological violence and destruction in interpersonal relationships, the study of the manifestation of malevolent creativity (MC) in behavior becomes an urgent problem for the internal affairs bodies (ATS) of the Russian Federation. The article provides an analysis of the results obtained in several studies on samples of different ages: convicts, cadets, cadets and active police officers (N=281, of which 45% are women). The questionnaires of aggression BRAQ-24, emotional intelligence (EmIn), an abbreviated version of the questionnaire “NEO PI-R”, “Behavioral features of malevolent creativity” were used. Hypotheses were tested: 1. The realization of malevolent creativity in interpersonal interaction is mediated by a low understanding of one’s own emotions (PSE), low agreeableness and high hostility, with hostility playing a predominant role; 2. the combination of high values of cooperation and PSE mediates a decrease in MC; 3. there are gender differences in the components of MC and its relationship with cooperation and PSE. The results showed that hostility is a complete mediator in the negative relationship of PSE and MC. At the same time, the contribution of self-esteem to understanding one’s own emotions is not modest in the implementation of MC in behavior that harms other people. It has been shown that in highly hostile people with a developed trait of cooperation, high PSE can regulate MC. The combination of high hostility and high PSE mediates MC and can contribute to its implementation in deviant behavior in the case of low values of the Cooperation trait. Gender features were identified: in women, the decrease in the realization of MC in harming is mediated by a combination of highly developed PSE and the traits of the big five Cooperation. The conclusion is made about the important contribution of self-assessment of understanding one’s own emotions as a component of emotional intelligence to malevolent creativity and deviant behavior in interpersonal interaction.</p>

Family Emotions Expressed towards Clients Re-admitted for Alcohol Use Disorder in Rehabilitation Centres in Eldoret, Kenya

Alcohol use disorder remains one of the socioeconomic challenges in Kenya. The study investigated the effect of expressed family emotions on relapsed clients with alcohol use disorder in rehabilitation centres located in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. This was in the light of concern that recovered clients with alcohol use disorder relapse soon after re-joining their families. The study was anchored on structural family therapy and used concurrent explanatory mixed methods approach. The quantitative strand of the study used ex post facto, causal comparative design while the qualitative strand used phenomenological research design. Stratified and systematic random and purposive sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample size of 92 respondents, comprising 38 clients with alcohol use disorder, 38 family members, 12 relapsed clients and 4 counsellors in the selected registered and licensed rehabilitations centres. Data was collected using a questionnaire and focus group discussion guides. Quantitative data was cleaned, organized, coded and analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23. The generated descriptive statistics were summarized and presented in distribution frequency tables. Qualitative data was coded and analysed thematically. The main findings showed that family members expressed high hostility, criticism and over-involvement but low empathy and positive comments towards clients with alcohol use disorder. The study concluded that expressed family emotions affected clients with alcohol use disorder and was a risk factor to relapse. The study recommends that rehabilitation programmes need to involve family members in the treatment of clients with alcohol use disorder.

Correlations between cortical gyrification and schizophrenia symptoms with and without comorbid hostility symptoms.

Interest in identifying the clinical implications of the neuropathophysiological background of schizophrenia is rising, including changes in cortical gyrification that may be due to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Inpatients with schizophrenia can show abnormal gyrification of cortical regions correlated with the symptom severity. Our study included 36 patients that suffered an acute episode of schizophrenia and have undergone structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to calculate the local gyrification index (LGI). In the whole sample, the severity of symptoms significantly correlated with higher LGI in different cortical areas, including bilateral frontal, cingulate, parietal, temporal cortices, and right occipital cortex. Among these areas, patients with low hostility symptoms (LHS) compared to patients with high hostility symptoms (HHS) showed significantly lower LGI related to the severity of symptoms in bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. The severity of psychopathology correlated with higher LGI in large portions of the cerebral cortex, possibly expressing abnormal neural development in schizophrenia. These findings could pave the way for further studies and future tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

The Effect of IS-Innovation Strategy Alignment on Corporate Performance: Investigating the Role of Environmental Uncertainty by Heterogeneity

The study investigates how the alignment at the processing levels between information systems (IS) strategy, through strategy-as-practice approach, and innovation influences corporate performance (CP) under environmental uncertainty from 856 Brazilian firms by PLS-SEM. The results indicated that all approaches of alignment between IS strategy and innovation have strong influences on CP. The alignment with ambidextrous innovation had a 62% higher contribution on CP than alignment between exploitative innovations. Additionally, exploitative innovations had positive effects on CP under high hostility environments; and explorative and ambidextrous innovations had positive large and strong effects on CP under high dynamic environments.

Does Parenting Moderate the Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescents’ Future Orientation?

Adolescents who think and act towards the future are more likely to thrive. This future orientation may, however, be affected by adversity and the parenting they receive. The influence of cumulative adversity, and of parenting in the context of adversity, is yet to be explored. We investigated whether adolescents’ future orientation is associated with experiences of singular and multiple types of adversity, and if parenting moderates these associations. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children K Cohort (n = 1177; 51.5% male; aged 16–17 years) were used to measure future orientation at age 16–17, the number of adversities experienced from age 4/5 to age 14/15 (parental separation and divorce, household substance use problem, household mental health condition, domestic violence), and parenting received at age 14/15 (warmth, hostility, communication, monitoring). Relationships and moderations were tested using stepwise moderated logistic regression analyses, controlling for demographic characteristics. Adolescents were at risk for low future orientation if they had experienced singular or multiple types of adversity, higher hostility, lower communication, and lower monitoring. We did not find a moderating effect of parenting. These results indicate that while young people are less likely to have future-related thoughts and actions if they have experienced singular or multiple types of adversity, their future orientation may be supported by effective parenting and non-hostile parent-adolescent relationships. Young people who experience both adversity and poor parenting may be at higher risk than others. Further investigation is warranted, to explore the causal relationships between adverse experiences, parenting, and future orientation.

Does hostility affect public support for the provision of global public goods among competing neighboring countries? A survey experiment in Northeast Asia

Cooperation beyond the borders of sovereign states and investment in global public goods (GPGs) are essential for tackling transboundary challenges, such as climate change, marine pollution, and health security. However, little is known about how regional tension or isolationism might affect cooperation with neighboring countries on transboundary issues. Thus, in this study, using a conjoint experiment of representative samples from members of the public in Japan, China, and South Korea, we investigated: 1) public support for GPGs using the case of trilateral cooperation for the establishment of common global funds among Japan, China, and South Korea; and 2) the extent to which hostility toward neighboring countries affects such public support. The results showed that Chinese people had lower hostility toward neighboring countries and higher public support. Both Japanese and South Koreans had higher hostility. Meanwhile, public support was lower in Japan but moderate in South Korea. These results suggest that hostility toward neighboring countries affects public support for GPGs. The stronger the hostility toward neighboring countries is, the lower the public support for international cooperation becomes. However, the mechanisms of these effects are complex. Generally, hostility toward a government has more negative effects than hostility toward people of the same country. Furthermore, the present study provides important insights based on the findings that Chinese strongly supported building GPGs with neighboring countries, and people in all three countries somewhat supported equal sharing of the financial burden. However, authorization mechanisms for GPGs are essential, because citizens most supported GPGs managed by their home country. Thus, adopting authorization mechanisms to mutually manage funds is essential for widening public support for GPGs.

Maternal alexithymic traits are related to lower maternal sensitivity and higher hostility in mother-infant interaction

Background A child’s ability to regulate emotions, attention and arousal develops in the context of their primary caregiving from the very beginning of infancy and thus, is dependent on bidirectional signalling and understanding of emotions also within mother-infant interaction. Parental alexithymia could potentially complicate this emotional interaction. In this study, we aim to explore the association between maternal alexithymic traits and the quality of mother-infant interaction. Methods The study sample consisted of 158 mother-infant dyads within the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study population who had filled in a questionnaire measuring alexithymic traits 6 months postpartum and participated in an observational study on mother-infant interaction 8 months postpartum. Alexithymia was measured with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale including all three alexithymia dimensions – Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF) and Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). Mother-infant interaction was assessed with the Emotional Availability Scale and in this study all four adult dimensions (Sensitivity, Structuring, Non-intrusiveness and Non-hostility) were included. The associations were studied with correlation analyses and General Linear Model. Results Maternal alexithymic traits were associated with the quality of mother-infant interaction. Specifically, the association between DDF and Sensitivity (p = 0.044, η 2 p = 0.026) and EOT and Non-hostility (p = 0.030, η 2 p = 0.030) remained significant when controlled by associated background and confounding factors. Conclusions Support was found for the hypothesis that higher maternal alexithymic traits would associate with weaker maternal sensitivity and more hostile behavior in mother-infant interaction. Further studies are needed to gain support for these hypotheses and to investigate their possible implications for child development.

Structural and functional brain networks of individual differences in trait anger and anger control: An unsupervised machine learning study.

The ability to experience, use and eventually control anger is crucial to maintain well‐being and build healthy relationships. Despite its relevance, the neural mechanisms behind individual differences in experiencing and controlling anger are poorly understood. To elucidate these points, we employed an unsupervised machine learning approach based on independent component analysis to test the hypothesis that specific functional and structural networks are associated with individual differences in trait anger and anger control. Structural and functional resting state images of 71 subjects as well as their scores from the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory entered the analyses. At a structural level, the concentration of grey matter in a network including ventromedial temporal areas, posterior cingulate, fusiform gyrus and cerebellum was associated with trait anger. The higher the concentration, the higher the proneness to experience anger in daily life due to the greater tendency to orient attention towards aversive events and interpret them with higher hostility. At a functional level, the activity of the default mode network (DMN) was associated with anger control. The higher the DMN temporal frequency, the stronger the exerted control over anger, thus extending previous evidence on the role of the DMN in regulating cognitive and emotional functions in the domain of anger. Taken together, these results show, for the first time, two specialized brain networks for encoding individual differences in trait anger and anger control.

Effects on corporate performance through ISS-enabled strategy-making on dynamic and improvisational capabilities

PurposeThis study develops the idea that resource orchestration (RO) of ISS-enabled strategy-making (ISS-SM) can influence dynamic and improvisational capabilities in innovation resulting in corporate performance (CP) gains under a hostile environment.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modeling is applied to the data collected from 551 Brazilian firms.FindingsThe results suggest that ISS-SM facilitates dynamic and improvisational capabilities in innovation, consequently promoting CP. The research also showed that, under conditions of high environmental hostility, the impact of improvisational capabilities in innovation on CP is significantly amplified. Finally, in the specific case of high hostility, ISS-SM is especially important in enabling organizational capabilities on CP, for digital mastery firms, large firms in the manufacturing and services sectors.Practical implicationsThe findings provide insights on how RO of ISS and resource management action enable strategy-making to leverage innovation and corporate performance during an uncertain environment.Originality/valueThis study developed an original contribution to resource orchestration, information systems strategies, and strategy-making literature through developing a novel construct of ISS-enabled strategy-making to enhance proximate and distal outcomes under a hostile environment.

Maternal Alexithymic Traits Are Related to Lower Maternal Sensitivity and Higher Hostility in Maternal Caregiving Behavior—The FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study

Background: The quality of parental caregiving behavior with their child plays a key role in optimal mother–infant interaction and in supporting child adaptive development. Sensitive caregiving behavior, in turn, requires the ability to identify and understand emotions. Maternal alexithymia, with difficulties in identifying and describing feelings or emotions, as well as a concrete way of thinking, could potentially complicate the quality of caregiving. In this study, we aim to explore the possible association between maternal alexithymic traits and the quality of maternal caregiving behavior.Methods: The study sample consisted of 158 mother–infant dyads within the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study population with an available report of maternal alexithymic traits at 6 months postpartum and observational data on maternal caregiving behavior at 8 months postpartum. Alexithymia was measured using the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) including three alexithymia dimensions—Difficulty Identifying Feelings, Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), and Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). Maternal caregiving behavior was assessed using the Emotional Availability Scale and in this study, all four parent dimensions (Sensitivity, Structuring, Non-intrusiveness and Non-hostility) were included. Maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms at 6 months postpartum were controlled for as potential confounders. In addition, background factors of mother's age and gestational weeks at the time of child birth, maternal educational level, monthly income and parity, as well as relationship status and the gender of the baby were assessed.Results: Maternal TAS-20 total score correlated negatively with Sensitivity (r = −0.169, p = 0.034) and with non-intrusiveness (r = −0.182, p = 0.022). In addition, maternal DDF correlated negatively with Sensitivity (r = −0.168, p = 0.035) and EOT with Non-hostility (r = −0.159, p = 0.047). Furthermore, in regression analyses with controlling for the associated background factors, maternal total score of alexithymic traits (p = 0.034, η2p = 0.029) and higher DDF (p = 0.044, η2p = 0.026) remained significantly associated with lower Sensitivity and higher EOT remained significantly associated with lower Non-hostility (p = 0.030, η2p = 0.030).Conclusions: In this explorative study we found preliminary evidence for the hypothesis that higher maternal alexithymic traits associate with lower maternal sensitivity and more hostile maternal caregiving behavior. Further studies are needed to explore these hypotheses and to investigate their possible implications for child development.

The efficacy of incorporating mental imagery in cognitive restructuring techniques on reducing hostility: A randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesCognitive restructuring (CR) is an effective intervention for hostility. However, the number of patients who fail to benefit suggest that the efficacy of CR can be further improved. The present study investigated whether enhancing CR with mental imagery techniques can increase its efficacy. MethodsA high hostility sample (28% male, and 72% female) was randomized over one session of imagery enhanced CR (I-CR) (n = 34), traditional CR (n = 32) or an active control session (AC) (n = 21). Changes in hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies, state anger and hostility traits were assessed pre- and post-treatment, and at one-week follow-up. ResultsResults showed that both I-CR and CR efficaciously reduced hostile beliefs, aggressive tendencies and anger, to a stronger degree than AC. I-CR was more efficacious and sustainable over time than both CR and AC in reducing hostile beliefs and aggressive tendencies. LimitationsThis study was conducted using a small, non-treatment seeking sample. ConclusionsFindings suggest that implementing imagery techniques in CR for hostile beliefs enhances its’ efficacy.

The Psychometric Properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory Hostility and Anxiety Subscales in a Prison Population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) hostility and anxiety subscales in prison inmates. Reliability and construct validity of the BSI hostility and anxiety subscales were examined using Cronbach's alphas, factor analysis, and hypothesis testing. Of the 373 male inmates, 63% were White with a mean age of 36 years. Cronbach's alphas for hostility and anxiety were 0.83 and 0.81, supporting internal consistency. Factor analysis demonstrated two dimensions, hostility and anxiety. Supporting construct validity, inmates with higher hostility as well as those with higher anxiety had a greater number of mentally unhealthy days and lower perceived control. The BSI hostility and anxiety subscales are reliable and valid for use in prison inmates.

Observing flaming or trolling online: Prevalence in russian youth and adolescents and relationship to tolerance and aggression

IntroductionCyberaggression including the most wide-spread variants of flaming (O’Sullivan, Flanagin, 2003; Voggeser et al., 2017) and trolling (Buckels et al., 2018) is affecting mental health of adolescents and youth although it could be (Kowalski, 2014; Wright, Wachs, 2020).ObjectivesThe aim was to study prevalence of flaming and trolling experience in Russian youth and adolescents and its relationship to general aggression and tolerance.Methods 525 adolescents 12-13 years old, 1029 adolescents 14-17 years old, 736 youth 18-30 years from 8 Federal regions in Russia appraised their experience of flaming or trolling online (as initiators, victims and observers) using vignettes. 1105 parents of adolescents appraised whether their children experienced flaming or trolling online. Then they filled Aggression Questionnaire (Buss, Perry, 1992) and Tolerance Index (Psychodiagnostics…, 2008).ResultsMore than one-half of adolescents (51-58% in 12-13 years old and 64% in 14-17 years old) and youth (45-69%) reported experience of flaming and trolling online, mostly as observers (32-65%). Parents accurately appraised flaming experience in their children but underestimated trolling experience (p<.05). Adolescents and youth observing flaming online report higher hostility, anger and physical aggression (F=17.8-28.3, p<.01, η²=.02) while lower social tolerance (F=4.27, p<.05, η²=.01). In adolescents observing trolling online these effects are stronger than in youth observing trolling online (interaction: F=5.68, p<.05, η²=.01).ConclusionsObserving trolling and flaming online is related to higher aggression and low tolerance in adolescents and youth and for adolescents the relationship is stronger. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project 20-013-00857.Conflict of interestThe reported study was funded by RFBR, project 20-013-00857.

Multiple facets of attachment in residential-care, late adopted, and community adolescents: an interview-based comparative study

ABSTRACT In this study, 117 adolescents (12–19 years) from three groups (39 each), two groups from adverse caregiving environments as placed in residential-care (RC; i.e. istitutions) or late-adopted (LA; i.e. adopted after 12 months), and one of low-risk community adolescents (COM), were compared for the attachment distribution of categories in the Friends and Family Interview (FFI), and in several attachment-related domains where RC and LA showed difficulties during childhood. Only institutionalized adolescents showed more insecure and disorganized categories than both late-adopted and community peers, who did not differ. In the attachment-related domains, only RCs showed lower coherence, reflective functioning, secure-base/safe-haven parents, social and school competence, adaptive response, and more parental anger and derogation than the other two groups. Late-adoptees only showed higher hostility towards sibling(s) than COM.Therefore, only residential-care adolescents were at “high-risk” in attachment, but the analysis of attachment-related domains helped to detect vulnerabilities in both groups.

Effect of enuresis on perceived parental acceptance-rejection in children.

Enuresis is a major problem affecting both the child and his family. This study aimed to investigate the effect of enuresis on mother acceptance-rejection perceived by children. Fourty-six children and their mothers with the diagnosis of primary enuresis were included in the study. Parental Acceptance-Rejection Scale which consisted of 60 questions and consisted of four subscales: affection, hostility, neglect, and undifferentiated rejection was applied to both mothers and children. A dependent Sample t-test was used to compare the scale results of mothers and children, and an independent sample t-test was used to determine the factors affecting perceived high mother hostility in children. The mean age was 10.12±1.34 years and 58.70% of the children were boys. There was no statistically significant difference between total acceptance-rejection, affection, neglect, and undifferentiated rejection scores of mothers and children's perceptions. The perceived hostility score of the children (25.71±8.05) was higher than the mothers' hostility score (22.52±6.26) (p<0.05). The presence of maternal chronic disease was found to increase the perceived high hostility, while other factors were not statistically significant. Thirteen cases with chronic illnesses were excluded and re-analysis revealed that the difference between perceived and mother hostility persisted (p<0.05). Children with enuresis perceive their mother's behavior as more hostile than they are. It should be kept in mind that enuresis may affect the mother and child relationship, the family should be informed about the approach to the child.

Alexithymia, aggressive behavior and depression among Lebanese adolescents: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundFor a long time, Lebanon has been considered an unstable country. This can have a negative impact on Lebanese adolescents that consequently face secondary emotional stress, leading to more mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and alexithymia. The objective of this study was to assess the association between alexithymia, depression and aggressive behavior in a sample of Lebanese adolescents.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study, conducted between September 2018 and February 2019, which enrolled 568 young adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years using a proportionate sample from two Lebanese governorates. Out of 750 questionnaires distributed, 568 (75.73%) were completed and collected back.ResultsThe mean age was 15.87 ± 0.82 years, with 302 (53.2%) females; 180 (31.7%) were alexithymic, 193 (34.0%) and 181 (31.9%) had moderate (scores between (89 and 111) and high (scores ≥ 112) aggression respectively, whereas 176 (31.0%) and 149 (26.2%) had moderate (scores between 3 and 4) and high (scores ≥ 5) depression respectively. Higher levels of alexithymia were significantly associated with higher depression (Beta = 0.44), higher total aggression (Beta = 0.78), higher physical aggression (Beta = 0.24), higher verbal aggression (Beta = 0.14), higher anger (Beta = 0.22), and higher hostility (Beta = 0.19).ConclusionThe prevalence of alexithymic behaviors, as well as aggression and depression in Lebanese students appears to be very high in comparison with students worldwide. Alexithymia was significantly associated with higher depression, physical and verbal aggression, anger and hostility among adolescents. Factors underlying the high level of alexithymia remain not fully elucidated.

The Uneven Geographies of Politicisation: The Case of the Undocumented Immigrant Youth Movement in the United States

AbstractThis paper examines the uneven geographies of politicisation through the case of the undocumented immigrant youth movement in the United States, known as the Dreamers. Engaging the “urban political” literature, the paper maintains that politicisation involves the constitution of a subject that disrupts the order through claims for equality. The paper identifies the process of transforming highly marginalised and repressed people into an actual disruptive political subject. It suggests a three‐stage, spatially mediated process. First, “free spaces” are frontline sites that allow marginalised and risk‐averse groups like undocumented immigrants to meet with others, forge emotional bonds, and construct transgressive collective identities. Second, the potential of free spaces to politicise marginalised groups varies by geographical setting. Geographical settings, like large central cities, with high levels of organisational density and some ideological support facilitate politicisation more than settings with low organisational density and high hostility. Third, the uneven geographies of politicisation results in a political subject that is constituted and divided by core–periphery relations.

Binge drinking in 14-year-old Italian students is correlated with low or high psychological well-being: a cross-sectional study

Balanced levels of Psychological Well-Being (PWB) can represent protective factors for human functioning. PWB has not been investigated among young adolescents who practice binge drinking (BD), a popular pattern of alcohol intake, defined as the consumption of five or more alcoholic units in one session. The negative impact of BD on psychophysical health has been extensively studied, but there is scarcity of studies investigating the influence of psychological variables on BD in early adolescence. The main aim of this study was to fill the gap in the literature, focusing on PWB as a new possible target of preventive interventions. One thousand six hundred and eighty-seven Italian adolescents completed questionnaires assessing BD, cannabis use, lifestyle, allostatic overload, subclinical psychological distress, problem-solving, and PWB. Binge drinkers represented 9% of the sample. Among them, 71%, 26%, and 3% binge drank monthly, weekly, and daily, respectively. Stress (higher frequency of stressful life events), psychological distress (higher hostility), and PWB dimensions (higher scores on positive relations and lower on purpose in life) were associated with BD. These new findings on unbalanced levels of PWB could represent the potential target of longitudinal studies aimed to implement specific preventive interventions among young adolescents. Implications for research and prevention are discussed.