Background/Objectives: Burden Syndrome, also known as Caregiver Syndrome, particularly affects those who serve in the role of informal caregiver in the presence of family members with conditions. The ABCX dual model examines the impact on the caregiver of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the family. This model considers the severity of the stressor (A), the additional demands of life stress (aA), the family’s internal resources (B), the family’s external resources (bB), the family’s assessment of the situation (C), coping strategies (cC), and outcome (X). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationships between resilience, guilt, and burden of care in caregivers of children with ASD. Methods: Various assessment instruments were used, including the “Caregiver Burden Inventory” to measure burden, the “Brief Resilience Scale” to assess resilience, the “Guilt Sensitivity Questionnaire” to examine guilt sensitivity, and the “DA.L.I.A.” to collect information on parent and child characteristics. A total of 80 parents/caregivers participated in the research, including 53 women (Age M = 41.72; SD = 7.8) and 27 men (Age M = 43.35; SD = 6.29). Results: The findings indicate that individuals’ resilience to stressful events correlates negatively with burden, a developmental subtype. However, guilt seems not to play a significant role in the overall perception of burden. In contrast, it was found that the use of informal supports is associated with higher levels of guilt and emotional burden, whereas the use of formal supports is correlated with higher emotional burden, but not higher perceptions of guilt. Conclusions: This study provides important information about the support needed by caregivers and suggests how to address emotional burdens to prevent burnout and support families with children with ASD.

The present article provides a detailed comparison of two psychological phenomena, the freezing effect and the bystander effect, across their neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. This study focuses on identifying and analyzing the similarities and differences between these two responses to stressful and traumatic events. While the freezing effect is characterized by an involuntary neurobiological response to immediate threats, resulting in temporary immobilization or paralysis, the bystander effect describes a cognitive and social phenomenon where individuals refrain from offering help in emergencies when others are present. The study explores affective aspects, including emotional responses and trauma-related impacts associated with both phenomena. Through a comparative analysis, this research unveils important understandings regarding the distinctions among these responses, including their triggers, underlying mechanisms, and observable behaviors. It also highlights overlapping aspects, particularly in how both phenomena can lead to inaction in critical moments. This comparative study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interaction between the brain, individual cognition, and social dynamics in the face of danger and stress. The findings of this research have significant implications for understanding human behavior in emergencies, offering valuable perspectives that can be applied in the domains of psychology, training for emergency response, and trauma therapy.

The Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) represents a significant advancement in the assessment of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. However, an Italian version of the instrument is not yet available for the Italian-speaking population. This study utilized a national sample of 500 individuals divided into four groups: (a) patients with Crohn’s disease, (b) patients with ulcerative colitis, (c) patients with IBS, and (d) healthy controls (individuals without any diagnoses) to test the validity and reliability of the Italian VSI. Using back-translation methodology to ensure translation fidelity, this research applied a questionnaire and the VSI through an online format to 500 participants. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that the Italian VSI had excellent psychometric properties, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.949) and construct validity. The scale proved sensitive in detecting significant differences in visceral sensitivity among groups, highlighting its utility as a clinical and research assessment tool. Specifically, the Italian VSI exhibited a unidimensional factorial structure and maintained a strong correlation with interoceptive awareness, type of disease, and gastrointestinal symptom severity, confirming its role in enhancing the understanding and management of IBD and IBS in Italy.

Emerging evidence highlights the crucial role of interoception—the ability to perceive internal bodily sensations—in shaping psychological and somatic health. This narrative review explores the relationship between interoception and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and its relevance in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs), a group of chronic immune-mediated conditions. ACEs have been shown to compromise interoceptive development, contributing to emotional dysregulation, altered brain-body communication, and increased vulnerability to both mental and physical disorders. In patients with IBDs, interoceptive impairments manifest not only in physiological hypersensitivity to visceral stimuli but also in the subjective interpretation of these signals, often influenced by emotional distress and trauma history . These interoceptive dysfunctions are associated with structural and functional brain alterations, particularly in areas involved in emotional and bodily processing, such as the insular and somatosensory cortices. The review underscores the bidirectional communication along the gut-brain axis and its modulation by psychological factors, suggesting that interoceptive dysfunctions may serve as a key mechanism linking early trauma, emotional suffering, and chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. Integrating interoception-informed interventions in the treatment of IBDs could improve emotional regulation and enhance patients’ quality of life.

The VSI represents a significant advancement in the assessment of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety among patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). However, an Italian version of the instrument is not yet available for the reference population. This study utilized a national sample of 500 individuals, including healthy controls and patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, to test the validity and reliability of the Italian VSI. Using back-translation methodology to ensure translation fidelity, the research applied a questionnaire and the VSI through an online format to 500 participants. Data analysis revealed that the Italian VSI had excellent psychometric properties, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.95) and construct validity. The scale proved sensitive in detecting significant differences in visceral sensitivity among groups, highlighting its utility as a clinical and research assessment tool. Specifically, the Italian VSI exhibited a unidimensional factorial structure and maintained a strong correlation with other measures of anxiety and the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, confirming its role in enhancing the understanding and management of IBS and IBD in Italy.