Search Results (427)

Dogs are deeply social, built to stay in touch with others of their kind. In cities, though, most now live as single dogs. Housing rules, work schedules, and constant supervision have constrained their social environment. They still meet other dogs, but the meetings are short, managed, and rarely turn into real bonds. This review tries to pull together what is known about how such limited contact affects canine welfare and emotional balance. The sources come mostly from ethology, psychology, and urban studies, published between 2010 and 2025, and include comparisons between urban pets and free-ranging dogs that still organise their own social lives. Across studies, the pattern is similar: when dogs lose steady companions, they also lose the kind of social buffering that once helped them recover from stress. Over time, this does not always look like distress—more often it shows up as quiet tension, watchfulness, or an overdependence on human cues. The evidence points to social deprivation as a slow, structural welfare issue rather than an occasional problem. Meaningful improvement may therefore require moving beyond control and training alone, toward conditions that allow dogs to form small, stable circles of familiar peers that support lower arousal and more reliable recovery. Full article

Background: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is a transdiagnostic construct implicated in a broad range of psychiatric conditions. However, the influence of gender on ED remains understudied, particularly among adolescents with severe mood and behavioral disorders. Furthermore, few studies have controlled for confounding effects of specific psychiatric diagnoses. Methods: We assessed 182 adolescents (80.8% female; mean age 15.7 years) referred to our clinical institution. Participants completed the Cyclothymic–Hypersensitive Temperament Questionnaire (CHTQ), the Reactivity, Intensity, Polarity, and Stability Questionnaire (RIPoSt-Y), and the K-SADS-PL interview. Results: Females reported significantly higher levels of CHTQ mood lability (7.53 vs. 5.94, p = 0.012), RIPoSt-Y affective instability (62.33 vs. 53.31, p = 0.023), and interpersonal sensitivity (30.80 vs. 24.97, p < 0.001). They also exhibited higher rates of cyclothymic–hypersensitive temperament (46.6% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that gender and specific psychiatric diagnoses exerted significant independent effects on ED dimensions. Mood lability/hypersensitivity was significantly predicted by bipolar disorder (p = 0.001), depressive disorder (p = 0.002), and female sex (p = 0.025). Affective instability was independently predicted by bulimia nervosa (p = 0.019), depressive disorder (p = 0.004), and female sex (p = 0.033). Significant predictors for interpersonal sensitivity included female sex (p = 0.002), depressive disorder (p = 0.008), bulimia nervosa (p = 0.044), and the absence of conduct disorder (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Female adolescents with severe psychiatric presentations exhibited higher levels of ED, specifically regarding mood lability, affective instability, and interpersonal sensitivity. These associations persisted independently of current mood disorder diagnoses or comorbidities. While findings from this clinical cohort may not be fully generalizable to the general population, they highlight the need for gender-informed clinical interventions for adolescents characterized by severe ED. Full article

Background: Mental disorders and emotion dysregulation are highly prevalent in adolescence, yet access to intensive, age-appropriate treatments remains limited. This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary effects of a creative, 8-week, DBT-based transdiagnostic skills group for adolescents (DBT-K). Methods: 53 outpatients (aged 13–18, 50 female) with heterogeneous psychiatric diagnoses completed baseline self-report measures of internet use, emotion regulation, self-esteem, temperament, and psychopathology. During eight weekly group sessions, positive and negative emotions were assessed before and after each session; self-esteem and emotion regulation strategies were reassessed at the final session. Linear mixed models were used to analyze trajectories of affect and self-esteem. Results: Adolescents showed high baseline internalizing symptoms, low adaptive emotion regulation, and low self-esteem, with a substantial proportion meeting criteria for problematic internet use. Across sessions, negative affect exhibited a significant reduction, with a significant main effect of time and pre- vs. post-session condition. Positive emotions showed no systematic pre-post change and a small decline over time. Self-esteem height remained stable across sessions. No significant changes emerged for total adaptive or maladaptive strategies, but expression of emotions increased significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a brief, creative DBT-based group is feasible in a highly burdened, transdiagnostic outpatient sample and was associated with a reduction in negative affect and an increase in emotional expression. However, the lack of control group, high attrition, short duration, and absence of follow-up emphasize that conclusions are preliminary. Full article

Background: Patterns of dysregulated eating, including overeating, frequent snacking, and heightened food cravings, are associated with an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disease. Eating behaviors are multidimensional and can influence many factors, including social, cultural, and biological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that genetic variation may contribute to inter-individual differences in appetite regulation and reward-related eating, potentially influencing susceptibility to dysregulated eating patterns and behaviors. Objectives: This exploratory, secondary analysis investigated possible relationships between the genetic variants FTO rs9939609, CLOCK rs1801260, MC4R rs17782313, and CD36 rs1761667 and eating behavior traits and postprandial appetite regulation in healthy young males. Methods: Thirty healthy males (27.7 ± 3.6 y; BMI 24.5 ± 2.7 kg/m²) completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) and consumed a standardized burrito-style meal, with appetite tracked over four hours using visual analogue scales (VAS). VAS data were baseline-adjusted and summarized as incremental area under the curve (AUC) to generate two derived exploratory composites of appetite suppression and cravings suppression. Genotyping was performed using iPLEX MassARRAY, and associations were tested with ANOVA and linear regression models. Results: FTO rs9939609 was significantly associated with higher emotional eating scores (β = 11.67; 95% CI 3.50, 19.83; p = 0.007, unadjusted), and this association remained significant after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. CLOCK rs1801260 showed a nominal association with reduced postprandial cravings suppression (β = −59.17; 95% CI −104.98, −13.35; p = 0.013, unadjusted). No associations were observed for MC4R or CD36. Conclusions: This exploratory analysis found a strong association between FTO rs9939609 and emotional eating, as well as a nominal relationship between CLOCK rs1801260 and craving regulation. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger cohorts. Full article

Sleep plays a central role in shaping emotional development during childhood and adolescence, yet increasing evidence indicates that these processes unfold differently in boys and girls. This narrative review synthesizes current findings on sex-specific associations between sleep patterns, neurodevelopmental trajectories, and emotional regulation across pediatric populations. It examines how biological factors, including pubertal timing, sex hormones, circadian physiology, and maturation of fronto-limbic circuits, interact with environmental influences to generate distinct vulnerabilities to anxiety, depression, and behavioral dysregulation. Growing data suggest that girls exhibit greater sensitivity to sleep disturbances, particularly during the pubertal transition, with stronger links to internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and mood disorders. In contrast, boys appear more prone to externalizing behaviors and show differential responses to circadian misalignment and short sleep duration. Emerging evidence on sex-specific sleep architecture, REM-related emotional processing, and the bidirectional pathways through which sleep quality affects affective functioning are explored. Finally, clinical implications for early detection, personalized prevention, and targeted interventions tailored by sex and developmental stage are discussed. Understanding sex-based differences in sleep–emotion interactions offers a critical opportunity to refine pediatric mental health strategies and improve outcomes across developmental trajectories. Full article

The concept of neuroception of psychological safety, rooted in Polyvagal Theory, offers a framework for understanding how individuals perceive safety at a physiological and psychological level. Illness may disrupt this perception and affect bodily regulation, emotional resilience, social connection, and self-compassion. This study aims to explore how experiences of being unwell, across both acute and chronic contexts, affect individuals’ neuroception of psychological safety. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven adult participants aged 20–79, including individuals with both acute and chronic illness experiences. Interview questions were informed by the Neuroception of Psychological Safety and Polyvagal Theory. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s six-step process. Four key themes were identified: dysregulation and the narrowing window of tolerance (reduced emotional resilience and heightened bodily sensitivity); distrust and disappointment (a rupture in bodily and self-trust); responsibility and internalised guilt (moral and emotional burdens around illness and recovery); and illness demands attention and disrupts social connection (withdrawal, emotional depletion, and compromised compassion). Across these themes, participants described a diminished sense of psychological safety when unwell, shaped by both internal physiological changes and altered social dynamics. Illness can profoundly undermine psychological safety by disrupting neurobiological regulation, altering relational engagement, and eroding trust in one’s body and self. These findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological safety principles into models of care, particularly in how individuals experience and recover from illness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sensory deprivation, defined as a reduction or absence of external sensory input across one or more modalities, has long been investigated in extreme and experimental settings. More recently, its relevance has expanded to clinical contexts and environmental conditions. The present narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the neurobiological mechanisms, psychological effects, and clinical implications of sensory deprivation, with particular attention to its dual role as both a risk factor and, under controlled conditions, a potential therapeutic tool. Methods: A narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO, covering studies published up to August 2025. Search terms included sensory deprivation, neuroplasticity, neurotransmitters, HPA axis, neuro-inflammation, circadian rhythms, psychopathology, extreme environments, and spaceflight. Preclinical and clinical studies examining biological, cognitive, and psychological consequences of reduced sensory stimulation were included. Data were synthesized thematically without quantitative meta-analysis. Results: Evidence indicates that sensory deprivation induces widespread neurobiological adaptations involving neurotransmitter systems (particularly dopaminergic pathways), dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, neuroimmune activation, circadian rhythm disruption, and structural and functional brain changes, notably affecting the hippocampus. These alterations are associated with increased vulnerability to depression, anxiety, hallucinations, dissociative symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Duration, voluntariness, and individual differences (e.g., baseline vulnerability/resilience, trait anxiety, and prior psychiatric history) critically modulate outcomes. However, short-term and voluntary sensory restriction, such as Floatation-REST, may promote relaxation and emotional regulation under specific conditions. Conclusions: Sensory deprivation exerts complex, context-dependent effects on brain function and mental health. Duration, individual vulnerability, and voluntariness critically modulate outcomes. Understanding these mechanisms is increasingly relevant for clinical practice and for developing preventive strategies in extreme environments, including future long-duration space missions. Full article

The placenta is often described as the “window to the brain” due to its crucial role in fetal neurological development. In this study, we investigated a family where the older male offspring exhibited severe neurodevelopmental and mild motor coordination disorders. His brother displayed emotional and behavioral dysregulation along with mild motor coordination disorders. The father was asymptomatic, while the mother and daughter showed mild learning disabilities. Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a disruptive X-linked pathogenic variant, c.1088_1089del p.Asp363GlyfsTer2, within the calpain-6 (CAPN6) gene. We have submitted this variant to the ClinVar database (RCV005234146.2). The variant was found in hemizygous condition in the affected male offspring and in heterozygous condition in both the mother and daughter. As predicted, the variant undergoes nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), preventing the translation of the CAPN6 gene into a functional protein. CAPN6 is a critical gene predominantly expressed in placental and trophoblast tissues. Although its function is not well characterized, CAPN6 is also expressed in several regions of the developing brain. Recent studies have shown that genetic variants in CAPN6 significantly influence vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity, thereby affecting angiogenesis and the blood supply essential for fetal growth and development. Although CAPN6 lacks an MIM phenotype code, we hypothesize that it might be enumerated as a novel candidate gene contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders. Functional studies are imperative to elucidate the role of CAPN6 in placental function and its potential implications for neurodevelopmental processes. This work aims to inspire further research into the role of CAPN6 in placental biology and its relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders. Full article

Background: Emotions substantially influence human eating behavior, but while negative affect has been consistently associated with maladaptive eating patterns, the role of positive affect remains underexplored. Thereby, emotion regulation (ER) is considered a key mechanism through which affective states may influence eating behavior. However, its mediating role remains unclear, particularly among non-clinical populations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of ER in the relationship between negative and positive affect and maladaptive eating behavior in a non-clinical adult sample. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey was administered to a general-population convenience sample of 189 adults. Participants completed four standardized self-report questionnaires: Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Correlational analyses and multiple regression models were used to examine the relationships between variables and to test the mediating role of ER. Results: Negative affect was significantly associated with both maladaptive eating behavior (r = 0.29, p < 0.01) and ER difficulties (r = 0.51, p < 0.01). Positive affect was only negatively related to emotion dysregulation (r = −0.47, p < 0.01). ER did not mediate the relationship between either positive or negative affect and maladaptive eating behavior. Conclusions: Findings underscore the influence of negative affect in maladaptive eating behavior, independently of ER. Although positive affect did not directly predict disordered eating behavior, its association with reduced ER difficulties warrants further exploration of its potential protective role. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional dysregulation (ED) is emerging as a major contributor to functional impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although effective behavioral interventions exist, pharmacological treatments remain constrained by side effects and variable tolerability. Given their neurobiological roles that include neurotransmission, inflammation, and neuroplasticity, vitamin D and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been identified as promising candidates for modulating emotional and behavioral dysregulation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation in improving emotional and behavioral regulation in individuals with ASD. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were English peer-reviewed studies involving participants with ASD that assessed combined vitamin D and omega-3 suppleupplementation with outcomes related to emotional or behavioral dysregulation. The search was restricted to 2015–2025 to ensure inclusion of recent, methodologically consistent studies and to minimize heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and supplementation protocols. Results: Of 649 records initially screened, 3 studies met inclusion criteria: one randomized controlled trial, one observational study, and one case report, involving participants ranging from early childhood to young adulthood. Across studies, combined supplementation was associated with improvements in irritability, hyperactivity, agitation, and self-injurious behaviors. These clinical effects were accompanied by specific biochemical changes, including reductions in the AA/EPA ratio, increases in serum 25(OH)D and omega-3 indices, and decreased urinary levels of HVA and VMA. Conclusions: This review indicates that co-supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids may exert preliminary beneficial effects on emotional and behavioral dysregulation in individuals with ASD, potentially through anti-inflammatory and neuroregulatory mechanisms. However, the available evidence remains limited due to a small number of studies, their modest sample size, and methodological heterogeneity. Further, biomarker-driven randomized studies are needed to confirm efficacy and delineate optimal dosing strategies for application in clinics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anxiety disorders (ADs) affect up to 20% of mothers in the postpartum period, characterized by psychological symptoms (e.g., emotion dysregulation; ER) and physical symptoms (e.g., disrupted bodily awareness). Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy effectively reduces anxiety and mood symptoms, it shows limited efficacy in addressing ER difficulties and rarely targets interoceptive dysfunction—both common in postpartum ADs. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness-based intervention in improving anxiety, ER, and interoception in mothers with postpartum ADs. A secondary aim is to examine changes in brain connectivity associated with these domains. Methods: This protocol describes a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial involving 50 postpartum mothers with ADs. Participants will be randomized to receive either a 4-week mindfulness intervention plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Participants in the mindfulness + TAU group will complete a virtual 4-week group intervention adapted from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. The TAU group will receive usual care for 4 weeks and then be offered the mindfulness intervention. Self-report measures of anxiety, ER, and interoception will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Resting-state functional MRI will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention to assess functional connectivity changes. This trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07262801). Results: Improvements in anxiety, ER, and interoception are anticipated, along with decreased default mode network, and increased salience network connectivity post-intervention is hypothesized. Conclusions: This study will be the first to examine the combined psychological and neural effects of mindfulness in postpartum ADs, offering a potentially scalable mind–body treatment. Full article

Emotional dysregulation (ED) reflects a heightened reactivity to stimuli, characterized by excessive negative affect and impulsive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate ED in workers seeking care for occupational stress and to examine its associations with sociodemographic characteristics, occupational stress, and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Eighty-seven workers referred for work-related stress were assessed using the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM) and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) for stress, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) for psychopathology, and the RIPoSt-40 for ED. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were conducted using parametric or non-parametric tests, as appropriate. Forty-six percent of participants met criteria for Adjustment Disorders and 54% for Major Depressive Disorder. No significant differences between diagnostic groups emerged for ED or symptom severity. Women reported higher perceived stress and anxiety than men. Negative ED domains—affective instability, negative emotionality, and emotional impulsivity—showed moderate-to-strong positive correlations with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Affective instability was also related to job stress dimensions, correlating negatively with decision latitude and positively with job demands. Negative emotional dysregulation appears to be a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for stress-related psychopathology. Screening for ED may support early detection and targeted preventive interventions in occupational settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gambling disorder (GD) is characterized by a high prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including personality disorders (PDs), which may negatively influence clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and relapse rates. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize recent evidence regarding the association between GD and formally diagnosed PD and/or diagnostically anchored PD symptomatology, and to describe the main personality dimension most frequently reported in affected individuals. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed and Dialnet databases for articles published between 30 November 2015 and 30 November 2025, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. PubMed was selected as the primary database because it is the most comprehensive source for peer-reviewed biomedical and psychiatric research, while Dialnet was included to complement PubMed by ensuring coverage of peer-reviewed psychiatric and psychological research published in other Romance-language journals, which are often underrepresented in international databases. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for cross-sectional studies and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies. Data extraction and synthesis were performed manually by two independent reviewers. Eight studies, predominantly cross-sectional in nature, assessing exclusively formally diagnosed personality disorders in adult individuals (≥18 years) diagnosed with GD were included. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 4607 patients with GD. Across studies, personality pathology was highly prevalent among individuals with GD, with antisocial and borderline personality disorders most consistently reported. Elevated levels of impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and narcissistic traits were frequently observed and were additionally associated with greater gambling severity, earlier onset, and poorer clinical outcomes. Antisocial personality symptoms were strongly linked to high-risk gambling subtypes, while obsessive–compulsive personality traits showed a more heterogeneous relationship with gambling severity. Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of personality assessment in individuals with GD and highlight the need for longitudinal studies using standardized diagnostic frameworks to inform tailored prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have an elevated risk of developing chronic psychiatric and behavioral disorders, including impairments in motor function, memory deficits, anxiety, and depression. Although a substantial body of work has addressed the treatment and rehabilitation of sensory, motor, and cognitive symptoms after TBI, there is a relative scarcity of comprehensive behavioral assessments targeting neuropsychiatric manifestations in preclinical models. This study aims to investigate the connections between emotional sequelae after TBI and modifications in local field potentials (LFPs). Following cryogenic lesion-induced TBI, animals exhibited anxiety-like behaviors as assessed by the open field test (p < 0.001), light/dark box test (p < 0.001), and elevated plus maze test (p < 0.01). Depression-like behavior was observed using the forced swim test (p < 0.001). LFP analysis demonstrated a marked elevation in neural oscillatory activity associated with anxiety and depression in the contralateral hemisphere relative to the ipsilateral side (p < 0.001). These results indicate that the emotional consequences triggered by TBI may be linked to dysregulated synchronous neural activity between the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotion dysregulation is central to many psychiatric disorders. Laboratory-based tasks designed to assess emotion processing and regulation often rely on standardized affective stimuli whose ecological validity remains unclear. We contextualize this study in our broader research program of neurophenomenological reflection of standard paradigms in experimental cognitive psychology. Methods: This study investigates the lived experience of 27 patients with affective disorders as they performed a cognitive-affective task combining working memory demands with exposure to negative emotional images. Phenomenological interviews were used to collect data on their experience of the task. Results: We identified three key experiential domains: whether the stimuli are capable of eliciting a spontaneous emotional response, voluntary construction of an emotional responses, and its temporal dynamics. Patients reported on two alterations in affectivity that are associated with dysregulation: (a) affective enchantment, characterized by intense emotions combined with superstitious appraisal; and (b) disintwinement (a sense of detachment and emotional blunting). Emotional responses exhibited complex unfolding across moment-to-hour timescales, sometimes persisting and blending across trials (impressionability), reflecting clinical phenomena such as rumination. Additionally, patients employed a range of explicit and implicit regulation strategies, many acquired through therapy or long-term coping. Conclusions: Our findings reveal the limitations of rapid, static image-based paradigms in eliciting authentic and spontaneous affectivity in clinical populations, highlighting the need for more ecologically valid experimental designs. Furthermore, inclusion of reports on such subtle affective states as vital feelings in laboratory-based experimental assessments is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of altered phenomenology of affectivity in affective disorders. Full article