Carola Maggiora Vergano | Università degli Studi "La Sapienza" di Roma (original) (raw)
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Papers by Carola Maggiora Vergano
Introduction: Understanding the quality of infant/child-caregiver relationship appears an essenti... more Introduction: Understanding the quality of infant/child-caregiver relationship appears an essential part of the diagnostic process in infancy and early childhood, regardless of the child’s symptoms or disorders. Aims of the study: In this study, we aimed 1) to validate the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (P-CRS), a scale assessing the quality of interactive patterns and relationship between the parent and the child; and 2) to assess the correlations between infant/child symptomatology and quality of relationship with the caregiver, in clinical and non-clinical children. Materials and Methods: The clinical group is composed of 250 children with different clinical diagnoses, the non-clinical group consisted of 250 children, matched by age. General and clinical information was collected with the Clinical Data Form. Symptomatology was measured through the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), completed by the parents, and the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF), compiled by the clinician....
Frontiers in psychology, 2018
The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gende... more The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gender dysphoric adults. Although it has been proven that the psychological wellbeing of gender diverse persons is largely mediated by family acceptance and support, research on their relationships with parental figures is scarce. A total of 95 adults took part in the study. The attachment distribution was as follows: 27% secure, 27% insecure and 46% disorganized. Regarding early traumas, 56% experienced four or more traumatic forms. Further, gender dysphoric adults showed significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization and polyvictimisation, relative to controls. Comparisons of subgroups, defined by natal gender, showed thatwomen, compared to control males, had more involving and physically and psychologically abusive fathers, and were more often separated from their mothers;men, relative to female controls, had more involving mothers and were more frequently separated from and neg...
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2013
In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) l... more In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) lagged coherence analysis, in subjects with dissociative disorders and in controls, after retrieval of attachment memories. We asked thirteen patients with dissociative disorders and thirteen age-and sex-matched healthy controls to retrieve personal attachment-related autobiographical memories through adult attachment interviews (AAI). EEG was recorded in the closed eyes resting state before and after the AAI. EEG lagged coherence before and after AAI was compared in all subjects. In the control group, memories of attachment promoted a widespread increase in EEG connectivity, in particular in the high-frequency EEG bands. Compared to controls, dissociative patients did not show an increase in EEG connectivity after the AAI. Conclusions: These results shed light on the neurophysiology of the disintegrative effect of retrieval of traumatic attachment memories in dissociative patients.
This article was submitted to
Frontiers in Psychology
ObjectiveEven if the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner viol... more ObjectiveEven if the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence (IPV) has already been established, there are no sufficient studies examining the relationships between these factors and attachment representations, specifically attachment disorganization. Thus, this study aimed to explore, in a sample of women who experienced IPV (a) the presence of interpersonal adversities during childhood, and (b) attachment representations, with a particular focus on disorganization.MethodsWomen’s representations of attachment experiences were investigated through the Adult Attachment Interview, while the presence of various forms of interpersonal adversities during childhood was assessed using the Complex Trauma Questionnaire. The results of the IPV group (n = 98) were compared with those of women with no history of IPV (control group, n = 81).ResultsWomen in the IPV group showed higher values of multiple forms of adverse experiences within their caregiving ...
The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gende... more The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gender dysphoric adults. Although it has been proven that the psychological wellbeing of gender diverse persons is largely mediated by family acceptance and support, research on their relationships with parental figures is scarce. A total of 95 adults took part in the study. The attachment distribution was as follows: 27% secure, 27% insecure and 46% disorganized. Regarding early traumas, 56% experienced four or more traumatic forms. Further, gender dysphoric adults showed significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization and polyvictimisation, relative to controls. Comparisons of subgroups, defined by natal gender, showed that trans women, compared to control males, had more involving and physically and psychologically abusive fathers, and were more often separated from their mothers; trans men, relative to female controls, had more involving mothers and were more frequently separate...
Attachment & Human Development
As suggested by Main et al., to respond to the need for an adaptation of the existing Adult Attac... more As suggested by Main et al., to respond to the need for an adaptation of the existing Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) coding system, especially regarding the application to nonnormative samples, this study presents additional criteria that characterize the low-coherence cannot classify (CC) category. Three AAIs were selected from a sample of parents of maltreated children. All transcripts indicated a very low coherence, with no evidence of contradictory insecure discourse strategies. Moreover, global category descriptors were identified, together with specific indices of discourse characteristics and features that highlight the breakdown in reasoning and discourse experienced by the speakers. The aim of the study is to illustrate new criteria to identify and rate a low-coherence CC profile toward the operationalization of this pervasively unintegrated state of mind. Through the definition of additional criteria for low-coherence CC category, our study helps the AAI and its coding system be more flexible and effective when dealing with clinical samples.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
Speranza AM (2015) The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ): development and preliminary psyc... more Speranza AM (2015) The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ): development and preliminary psychometric properties of an instrument for measuring early relational trauma.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2013
In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) l... more In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) lagged coherence analysis, in subjects with dissociative disorders and in controls, after retrieval of attachment memories. We asked thirteen patients with dissociative disorders and thirteen age-and sex-matched healthy controls to retrieve personal attachment-related autobiographical memories through adult attachment interviews (AAI). EEG was recorded in the closed eyes resting state before and after the AAI. EEG lagged coherence before and after AAI was compared in all subjects. In the control group, memories of attachment promoted a widespread increase in EEG connectivity, in particular in the high-frequency EEG bands. Compared to controls, dissociative patients did not show an increase in EEG connectivity after the AAI. Conclusions: These results shed light on the neurophysiology of the disintegrative effect of retrieval of traumatic attachment memories in dissociative patients.
Introduction: Understanding the quality of infant/child-caregiver relationship appears an essenti... more Introduction: Understanding the quality of infant/child-caregiver relationship appears an essential part of the diagnostic process in infancy and early childhood, regardless of the child’s symptoms or disorders. Aims of the study: In this study, we aimed 1) to validate the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (P-CRS), a scale assessing the quality of interactive patterns and relationship between the parent and the child; and 2) to assess the correlations between infant/child symptomatology and quality of relationship with the caregiver, in clinical and non-clinical children. Materials and Methods: The clinical group is composed of 250 children with different clinical diagnoses, the non-clinical group consisted of 250 children, matched by age. General and clinical information was collected with the Clinical Data Form. Symptomatology was measured through the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), completed by the parents, and the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF), compiled by the clinician....
Frontiers in psychology, 2018
The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gende... more The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gender dysphoric adults. Although it has been proven that the psychological wellbeing of gender diverse persons is largely mediated by family acceptance and support, research on their relationships with parental figures is scarce. A total of 95 adults took part in the study. The attachment distribution was as follows: 27% secure, 27% insecure and 46% disorganized. Regarding early traumas, 56% experienced four or more traumatic forms. Further, gender dysphoric adults showed significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization and polyvictimisation, relative to controls. Comparisons of subgroups, defined by natal gender, showed thatwomen, compared to control males, had more involving and physically and psychologically abusive fathers, and were more often separated from their mothers;men, relative to female controls, had more involving mothers and were more frequently separated from and neg...
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2013
In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) l... more In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) lagged coherence analysis, in subjects with dissociative disorders and in controls, after retrieval of attachment memories. We asked thirteen patients with dissociative disorders and thirteen age-and sex-matched healthy controls to retrieve personal attachment-related autobiographical memories through adult attachment interviews (AAI). EEG was recorded in the closed eyes resting state before and after the AAI. EEG lagged coherence before and after AAI was compared in all subjects. In the control group, memories of attachment promoted a widespread increase in EEG connectivity, in particular in the high-frequency EEG bands. Compared to controls, dissociative patients did not show an increase in EEG connectivity after the AAI. Conclusions: These results shed light on the neurophysiology of the disintegrative effect of retrieval of traumatic attachment memories in dissociative patients.
This article was submitted to
Frontiers in Psychology
ObjectiveEven if the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner viol... more ObjectiveEven if the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence (IPV) has already been established, there are no sufficient studies examining the relationships between these factors and attachment representations, specifically attachment disorganization. Thus, this study aimed to explore, in a sample of women who experienced IPV (a) the presence of interpersonal adversities during childhood, and (b) attachment representations, with a particular focus on disorganization.MethodsWomen’s representations of attachment experiences were investigated through the Adult Attachment Interview, while the presence of various forms of interpersonal adversities during childhood was assessed using the Complex Trauma Questionnaire. The results of the IPV group (n = 98) were compared with those of women with no history of IPV (control group, n = 81).ResultsWomen in the IPV group showed higher values of multiple forms of adverse experiences within their caregiving ...
The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gende... more The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gender dysphoric adults. Although it has been proven that the psychological wellbeing of gender diverse persons is largely mediated by family acceptance and support, research on their relationships with parental figures is scarce. A total of 95 adults took part in the study. The attachment distribution was as follows: 27% secure, 27% insecure and 46% disorganized. Regarding early traumas, 56% experienced four or more traumatic forms. Further, gender dysphoric adults showed significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization and polyvictimisation, relative to controls. Comparisons of subgroups, defined by natal gender, showed that trans women, compared to control males, had more involving and physically and psychologically abusive fathers, and were more often separated from their mothers; trans men, relative to female controls, had more involving mothers and were more frequently separate...
Attachment & Human Development
As suggested by Main et al., to respond to the need for an adaptation of the existing Adult Attac... more As suggested by Main et al., to respond to the need for an adaptation of the existing Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) coding system, especially regarding the application to nonnormative samples, this study presents additional criteria that characterize the low-coherence cannot classify (CC) category. Three AAIs were selected from a sample of parents of maltreated children. All transcripts indicated a very low coherence, with no evidence of contradictory insecure discourse strategies. Moreover, global category descriptors were identified, together with specific indices of discourse characteristics and features that highlight the breakdown in reasoning and discourse experienced by the speakers. The aim of the study is to illustrate new criteria to identify and rate a low-coherence CC profile toward the operationalization of this pervasively unintegrated state of mind. Through the definition of additional criteria for low-coherence CC category, our study helps the AAI and its coding system be more flexible and effective when dealing with clinical samples.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
Speranza AM (2015) The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ): development and preliminary psyc... more Speranza AM (2015) The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ): development and preliminary psychometric properties of an instrument for measuring early relational trauma.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2013
In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) l... more In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) lagged coherence analysis, in subjects with dissociative disorders and in controls, after retrieval of attachment memories. We asked thirteen patients with dissociative disorders and thirteen age-and sex-matched healthy controls to retrieve personal attachment-related autobiographical memories through adult attachment interviews (AAI). EEG was recorded in the closed eyes resting state before and after the AAI. EEG lagged coherence before and after AAI was compared in all subjects. In the control group, memories of attachment promoted a widespread increase in EEG connectivity, in particular in the high-frequency EEG bands. Compared to controls, dissociative patients did not show an increase in EEG connectivity after the AAI. Conclusions: These results shed light on the neurophysiology of the disintegrative effect of retrieval of traumatic attachment memories in dissociative patients.