Although Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), separation anxiety, and negative affectivity seem theoretically interrelated, no empirical study has considered them jointly so far. However, deepening this topic is clinically relevant, especially during the delicate phase of emerging adulthood. This study aimed to pinpoint psychological profiles based on IU, separation anxiety symptoms, and negative affectivity in a group of Italian non-clinical emerging adults. Such profiles were then compared in terms of key psychological and psychosocial characteristics. 868 young adults (73 % women) aged 18-26 years entered the study. They completed a socio-demographic survey and self-report tools assessing IU, separation anxiety symptomatology, and personality traits. Subgroups exhibiting distinctive patterns of IU, separation anxiety symptoms, and negative affectivity were identified using latent profile analysis. To deepen disparities in psychological and psychosocial features by profile, analyses of variance and chi-square tests were performed. Three profiles were detected, respectively with high, low, and moderate levels of the variables considered. In each profile, IU, separation anxiety symptoms, and negative affectivity had a consistent trend. The "High-level" profile had the greatest proportion of women and people who had not spent infancy with both parents. The sample included mainly women and university students, and data were collected using self-report questionnaires only. IU, separation anxiety symptoms, and negative affectivity can co-occur, highlighting the importance of transdiagnostic interventions. Preventive efforts should be directed to emerging adult women and those who did not spend infancy with both parents, as they may be particularly vulnerable to internalizing distress.

The onset of chronic diseases in childhood represents a stressful event for both young patients and their caregivers. In this context, coping strategies play a fundamental role in dealing with illness-related challenges. Although numerous studies have explored coping strategies employed by parents of children with chronic diseases, there remains a gap in the understanding of children’s coping strategies and their correlation with their and their parents’ anxiety. This study aims to investigate coping strategies and their interaction with anxiety in groups of young patients with cancer, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and their respective caregivers, in comparison to healthy children and caregivers. We recruited a total of 61 control children, 33 with cancer, and 56 with T1D, 7 to 15 years old, along with their mothers. Each participant completed a customized survey and standardized questionnaires. No significant differences emerged in coping strategies used by children among the different groups. However, when examining the association between coping strategy and anxiety, we found specific patterns of interaction between children’s use of coping strategies and their and their mothers’ anxiety levels. This study underscores the importance of an illness-specific approach to gain deeper insights into this topic and develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the psychological well-being of these vulnerable populations.

Background/Objectives: The literature reports that emotional disorders in asthmatic children and their parents may affect asthma control. This research explores the baseline psychological well-being of asthmatic children and their mothers’ and fathers’ psychological functioning, focusing on the influence of the parents’ anxiety and separation anxiety on children’s asthma. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled children with non-severe asthma and their parents, and a group of healthy children and their parents. The asthmatic children underwent anamnestic investigation, including asthma control and spirometry. Then, both the asthmatic and control triads filled a survey assessing their psychological functioning. Results: Among the 40 asthmatic children enrolled (8–18 years old), most had good clinical control maintained with GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) therapy step 1–2 (14 patients, 35%) or step 3–4 (26 patients, 65%); 12 patients (30%) had at least one steroid course in the year before enrollment. They exhibited normal psychological adjustment but elevated levels of general (U = 179,500; p < 0.001) and state anxiety (U = 170,000; p < 0.001) compared to healthy peers. Additionally, the asthmatic children’s mothers displayed higher levels of separation anxiety compared to the fathers (t = −2.865, p = 0.006). Increased separation anxiety in the mothers corresponded to a history of at least one exacerbation in the previous year. Conclusions: The asthmatic children exhibited normal psychological adjustment with higher general and state anxiety. Also, their mothers showed greater levels of separation anxiety compared to their fathers. Lastly, higher mothers’ separation anxiety corresponded to a history of at least one exacerbation in the previous year. The influence of the parents’ psychological well-being on the children’s asthma control was previously unexplored.

Face mask wearing is a low-cost preventative measure for the Covid-19 pandemic. In Italy, face masks are no longer mandatory indoors from the 1^st of May 2022. Some research focused on factors that influence the choice of using masks, but less is known about mask-wearing when non-mandatory. The present study aims to compare those who were still wearing masks indoors when non-mandatory and those who were not, in personality traits, anxiety, depression, and trust in healthcare professions, in Italy, in 2022. Furthermore, we analyze if resilience, reactance, political orientation, and Covid-19 vaccinations moderate between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing masks. 1151 adults, aged 18–64, were recruited. Using the Qualtrics platform, participants filled in a socio-demographic interview, and self-report questionnaires. Results showed that people who were still wearing a mask indoors had higher levels of psychoticism and negative affectivity, worse mental health, greater trust in healthcare professions, and worries about the pandemic. Moreover, resilience partially moderates the relationship between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing a mask. These findings provide a better understanding of individuals’ responses to post-pandemic changes, identifying the personal and contextual aspects that can make people struggle with the process of returning to normality.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism resulting from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme activity. Diagnosis in the first days of life allows early initiation of dietary therapy. The maintenance of this treatment raises demanding management issues in everyday life, often resulting in a psychological burden for patients and families. In this brief report, we aimed to investigate parenting stress and parents’ perceptions of their child’s adjustment, focusing on correlations between the perspectives of mothers and fathers. We conducted an observational study, enrolling parents of pediatric patients (aged 2–18) diagnosed with PKU and treated from birth. A total of 20 parenting couples of 20 PKU-affected children were included. The mean Phe level was 301.60 µmol/L (SD = 128.39). Most PSI-SF and SDQ-P scores were below the clinically relevant threshold. Significant correlations emerged between paternal parenting stress and the child’s Phe level and, additionally, between mothers’ and fathers’ scores. Parents of PKU-affected children reported acceptable levels of parenting stress and their children’s psychological adjustment. However, fathers perceived greater stress in maintaining adequate Phe levels for their children. Our results suggest a similar perspective of both parents in relation to their child’s psychological adjustment. Therefore, the psychological well-being of PKU patients and their parents must be monitored to provide family-centered care and psychological support in the process of accepting a rare disease.

Emerging adulthood is characterized by transitions toward independence, where separation anxiety may intensify. Despite its robust psychometric properties, previously investigated on adult samples, the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27) lacks formal validation for emerging adults. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the ASA-27 on a sample of Italian emerging adults. 863 participants completed the ASA-27 and measures of anxiety and depression. With the aim of prospecting a shorter, optimized version of the tool, psychometric properties were assessed using the Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory (IRT) approach. Convergent validity and measurement invariance across sex were also tested. The reduced 19-items version retained a unidimensional structure, strong internal consistency and convergent validity. Measurement invariance supported consistent use across sexes. The ASA-19 is a reliable and more user-friendly tool for assessing separation anxiety in emerging adults, contributing to improved psychological assessment and intervention strategies in this life stage.