No abstract

Over the last decade, internet gaming has been a fast-growing recreational activity. Gamers risk their leisure activity becoming an addiction. In the present study, we aimed to measure the prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in an adult population of video game players and to investigate the association between demographic variables, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) traits, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) severity, and IGD in adults. Through an online survey, we recruited 4260 individuals aged between 18 and 55 years old, who were members of online communities of video gamers. We collected demographic data and administered three questionnaires: the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGD9-SF), the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Of the overall sample, 29.67% scored above the cut-off of 21 points for the IGD9-SF. Multiple linear regression models showed that daily spare time, autistic traits, and ADHD symptoms were positively associated with the severity of IGD in adults, after controlling for demographic variables. Future studies are required in order to explore factors linked to IGD in adults.

The present study aimed to investigate the personal well-being and family distress of Italian caregivers during the lockdown. Five hundred sixty-five family caregivers and 638 age-and sex-matched noncaregivers completed a web-based survey. The following scales were administered to all participants: General Health Questionnaire-12 items (GHQ-12), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Brief ResilientCoping Scale (BRCS), and Family Distress Index (FDI).Caregivers were also asked to provide information about their family members with disabilities. Individual and family distress, as well as insomnia, were significantly higher in caregivers than controls. Contrariwise, caregivers reported lower resilience levels. Multiple linear regression showed that distress was higher in caregivers living in Central and Southern Italy. Individual well-being was negatively predicted by low independence measured by the activities of daily living (ADL). Family distress was higher in households of psychiatric patients. Finally, low resilience levels appeared as the strongest predictors of both individual and family distress. The lockdown caused severe distress among caregivers and families of people with disabilities.Support networks for people with disabilities and their families are fundamental to prevent severe consequences from a psychological, social, and economical point of view.

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the daily routine of the population worldwide, including autistic people and their caregivers, with severe consequences on mental health. On one hand, the reduced social contacts and the interruption of outpatient and daycare services during the lockdown have represented a real challenge for autistic people and their caregivers. On the other hand, confinement has allowed individuals to spend more time pursuing their interests and stay home with their family members without feeling the pressure of social expectations. The present study aimed to compare the levels of personal wellbeing, family distress, insomnia, and resilience between caregivers of autistic people and caregivers of people with other neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, or relational disabilities. A web survey was completed by 383 participants, of which 141 were primary caregivers of autistic people. We did not find any significant difference between caregivers of autistic and non-autistic people in any of the considered psychological variables. Lower age of the autistic family member and lower resilience levels were significantly associated with higher individual distress in the group of caregivers of autistic people. Our findings do not corroborate the hypothesis that caregivers of autistic individuals have had more severe consequences than other caregivers during the lockdown. However, they confirm the importance of promoting resilient coping strategies in autistic people and their caregivers.

IntroductionPeople from the general population often tend to believe that psychiatric patients may be incurable, dangerous, and unpredictable. Stigma represents a critical issue which should be defeated. In spite of the interest of research, little is known about the relationship between personality traits and level of stigma toward people with mental illness.ObjectivesTo evaluate whether certain personality traits can influence the level of stigma towards mental illness in a population of university students.MethodsA web-survey was spread on social networks between March and June 2020 through Google Forms. Eligibility criteria for inclusion were:1) Being 18 years of age or older; 2) Attending a degree course in an Italian University; 3) Provide informed consent. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected. Stigma was measured using the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27), personality traits were evaluated through the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS-i) investigated the knowledge about mental illness. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 24.0.ResultsWe computed a multiple linear regression to calculate potential predictors of stigma, adjusted on the basis of the knowledge of mental illness. Results showed that age and faculty class were not related to stigma. Agreeableness (A) and Openness to experience (O) were associated with less stigmatizing attitudes. Conversely, Neuroticism (N) and Conscientiousness (C) seemed to predict higher levels of stigma.ConclusionsOur results suggest an interesting relationship between personality traits and stigmatizing attitudes, which deserves to be further studied. They also confirm the importance of implementing appropriate strategies against the stigma of mental illness.DisclosureNo significant relationships.