The interplay between childhood trauma, hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and mental pain in a large sample of patients with severe mental disorders: A network analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Mental pain represents a significant risk factor for suicidal behavior in severe mental disorders. The present study aims to investigate the interplay between childhood traumatic experiences, hopelessness, depressive symptoms and mental pain, using a network analysis approach in a large transdiagnostic sample of participants living in the community. The present investigation was conducted using data gathered in a multicentric observational cross-section study organized as a joint project, including different Italian research and clinical settings. Considering the assessment tools adopted in the study, 12 different variables were included as nodes in the EBICglasso network analysis. Stability of the edges and of centrality indices were assessed using bootstrap procedures, considering case-dropping and node-dropping procedures. A total of 2147 participants were included in the analysis . Mental pain represents a central feature in a complex network of relationships, including traumatic experiences, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms. More in deatail, mental pain and, to a lesser extent, affective and cognitive depressive symptoms emerged as the most central and influential nodes of the network, highlighting the strong link existing between these aspects and their importance in the lives of people with mental disorders. Results confirm the importance of mental pain as a transdiagnostic feature, requiring careful assessment and consideration in all patients, beyond the diagnostic categories and regardless of suicide risk. Assessing and managing the presence and severity of mental pain should be taken into account in clinical practice, in the perspective of providing significant clinical benefits, as well as relevant research insight. • Mental pain represents a transdiagnostic dimension, strongly correlated with suicide • Other important elements include traumatic experiences, depression and hopelessness • A network analysis considering different variables in a large sample was performed • Mental pain represents an essential element in the network, with high centrality • Mental pain should be carefully assessed in clinical practice in all patients
Source: Journal of Affective Disorders
Authors: Stefano Barlati, Marco Innamorati, Antonio Vita, Gabriele Nibbio, Denise Erbuto, Salvatore Sarubbi, Valeria del Vecchio, Mario Luciano, Gaia Sampogna, Giovanni Abbate-Daga, Claudia Carmassi, Giovanni Castellini, Pasquale De Fazio, Giorgio Di Lorenzo, Marco Di Nicola, Silvia Ferrari, Arianna Goracci, Carla Gramaglia, Giovanni Martinotti, Maria Giulia Nanni, Massimo Pasquini, Federica Pinna, Nicola Poloni, Gianluca Serafini, Maria Signorelli, Alfonso Tortorella, Antonio Ventriglio, Umberto Volpe, Andrea Fiorillo, Maurizio Pompili
Institutions: Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, European University of Rome, Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", University of Turin, University of Pisa, University of Florence, Magna Graecia University, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Sanitaria Unità Locale di Reggio Emilia, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carita, University of Chieti-Pescara, University of Ferrara, University of Cagliari, University of Insubria, University of Genoa, University of Catania, Policlinico Universitario di Catania, University of Perugia, University of Foggia, Marche Polytechnic University
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W4409123273