Giulia Rosa Policardo- PhD
- Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at University of Florence
Giulia Rosa Policardo
- PhD
- Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at University of Florence
About
62
Publications
15,483
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245
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Introduction
I'm a Psychologist and Specializing in CBT-Psychotherapy. Adjunct Professor in Attitude Psychology.
Phd in Clinical Sciences at the Department of Health Sciences (University of Florence). My research interests are body image, sociocultural influences, couple relationship, intention to implement health behaviors (specifically in the context of Breast Cancer). I'm interested in the validation of psychological measures about body image issues (e.g., Body Compassion Scale; Social Physique Anxiety).
Current institution
Additional affiliations
November 2018 - present
Editor roles
Psychology & psychological research international journal.
Position
- Editorial Board Member
Education
October 2013 - July 2016
Università degli Studi di Firenze
Field of study
- Psicologia Clinica e della Salute
Publications
Publications (62)
Numerosi studi hanno evidenziato come le pratiche body-focused, quali yoga e pilates, possano favorire una relazione più positiva con il proprio corpo, riducendo l’auto-oggettivazione corporea e promuovendo una maggiore connessione con i propri bisogni corporei. Il teatro, similmente, implica un uso intenzionale del corpo e dell’espressione, elemen...
La Breast-Self Examination (BSE) rappresenta una strategia di prevenzione del cancro alla mammella efficiente ed economica. Poiché la BSE richiede un esame minuzioso del proprio seno, le donne insoddisfatte e a disagio con il proprio corpo possono eseguire questo comportamento con minore frequenza. Tuttavia, quando le donne sviluppano un atteggiame...
In contemporary multicultural societies undergoing heightened immigration, investigating inter-ethnic minority contact is paramount. The present systematic review aims to summarize the still scarce findings on inter-minority contact in shaping attitudes between ethnic minorities. Specifically , it addresses the antecedents and consequences of inter...
The 13-item Body Acceptance by Others Scale-2 (BAOS-2) measures generalised perceptions of body acceptance by others. Here, we examined the psychometric properties of a novel Italian translation of the BAOS-2. Studies 1 (N = 401) and 2 (N = 393) supported a unidimensional model of the Italian BAOS-2 with all 13 items retained through exploratory an...
In Italy, breast cancer survivors are increasing. Body image is a complex posttreatment concern for breast cancer survivors, particularly younger women. This population reports higher levels of body-image concerns associated with higher psychological distress and lower quality of life. Body image concerns and factors that can impact the body image...
A new construct has emerged in the recent literature on Social Media influences and body image evaluation: Appearance-related Social Media Consciousness (ASMC). This construct describes the tendency for a woman’s thoughts and behaviours to reflect an ongoing awareness of whether she might appear attractive to an online audience. Physical appearance...
The use of photo-based social media platforms has become a central aspect of individuals’ lives. Within the social media environment, individuals often visualize their online audience and engage in behaviors aimed at enhancing their physical attractiveness on these platforms. In this vein, a recent construct has been introduced, i.e. Appearance-rel...
Objective
Psychological interventions are pivotal in enhancing the Quality of Life for breast cancer survivors, with a primary focus on addressing affective and cognitive challenges through group discussions among those diagnosed with the disease. While the influence of Body Image on overall well-being is well-documented, research on interventions...
Background: Perfectionism represents a risk factor for certain compulsive behaviors, including exercising, although findings are mixed. While research predominantly examines negative body image predictors of compulsive exercising, few consider positive body image as a protective factor. Therefore, this study aims to test the parallel mediating role...
This study investigates the impact of intergroup contact of White British adults (N = 192) on the language used when describing their recent interactions with Asian British people. Specifically, we assessed the role of different forms of intergroup contact (i.e., cross-group friendship, positive and negative, and direct and extended contact) on the...
Scope: This study aims to investigate the predictive role of Hostile and Benevolent Sexism Towards Men and Women, Gender-Transcendent Roles and Gender-Link Roles on body compassion in Italian and Albanian men and women.
Methods: A group of 167 Italian men (Mage=40.89; SDage=13.05) and 500 women (Mage=37.79; SDage=12.280) and of 58 men (Mage=32.38;...
Objective: Nurses involved in resuscitation cases need to regulate their emotions, which can be a risk factor for stress (Koželj et al., 2021). Also, psychological inflexibility (PI) can lead to emotional distress and ineffective behavior (Bond et al., 2011). High levels of distress can cause problems for nurses’ work and overall health (Kovács et...
Introduction: Instagram use for images-related activities focused on physical appearance has been positively associated with eating disorders (EDs) symptoms among women and girls (González-Nuevo et al., 2021); however, despite notable evidence of women’s susceptibility to physical appearance pressures, it remains
less clear whether these associatio...
Introduction: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder characterized by undesired worries about defects or body imperfections (APA, 2013). Cognitive fusion, a process of the Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) defined as the tendency to identify thoughts with reality and let behavior be guided excessively by cognition, seems relevant in...
In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the role of different characteristics of the inter-ethnic contact (e.g.,positive, negative) between immigrants (minority group) and native Italians (majority members) on intraminority solidarity towards another disadvantaged group.
L’Auto-esame al Seno (AS) rappresenta una strategia di prevenzione del
cancro alla mammella efficiente ed economica. Poiché l’AS richiede un
esame minuzioso del proprio seno, le donne insoddisfatte e a disagio con il
proprio corpo possono eseguire questo comportamento con minore frequenza. Il presente studio, considerando la Teoria del Comportament...
Perfectionism and dedication to work are often associated with success and self-actualization, however, in its maladaptive forms, it appears to be associated with negative psychological health outcomes. Workaholism, a condition of work dependence, also represents a possible risk factor for well-being. The present cross-sectional study aims to inves...
Gli operatori afferenti alle professioni di aiuto, nel corso della loro attività lavorativa, subiscono frequentemente atti di violenza fisica e/o verbale (Ministero della Salute, 2021). Date le conseguenze sul piano psicofisico, gli atti di violenza costituiscono eventi sentinella che richiedono la messa in atto di opportune iniziative di prevenzio...
Sebbene durante la pandemia i tassi di violenza di genere fossero in aumento, le richieste di aiuto ai Centri Anti-Violenza (CAV) risultavano essere notevolmente scarse (Pramstrahler, 2020). Risulta quindi importante indagare i predittori psicosociali in grado di predire l’intenzione di richiedere aiuto in caso di bisogno. La Teoria dell’Azione Rag...
Introduction: Breast Self-Examination (BSE) can be considered a cheap and effective self-method to help identify any changes in breast tissue early (Chouliara et al., 2004). Despite the benefits of BSE, many women do not regularly examine
their breasts (Arcarisi et al., 2019). In recent years, many studies have investigated characteristics and proc...
Il presente articolo ha l'obiettivo di presentare un progetto di intervento sul campo di riduzione di stereotipi e pregiudizi sociali chiamato: Human Library Project. Tale intervento di facile implementazione e ampio coinvolgimento ha trovato una ancora timida diffusione in Italia. Nella prima parte dell'articolo viene descritta in dettaglio la met...
Background: Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) is the anxiety resulting from the prospect or presence of the interpersonal evaluation of one’s physique. It is a construct related to body image and body esteem. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale-7 (SPAS-7) is a self-report scale aimed at measuring the degree of anxiety that people experience when others e...
Background. Viewing Instagram altered images of attractive women has negative effects on women’s body image. This study examined the effects of exposure to a ‘before’ and ‘after’ retouched image, in combination with a disclaimer, on female Instagram users’ thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery.
Methods....
Introduzione. I commenti sull’aspetto fisico provenienti dagli altri significativi sono centrali nello sviluppo e mantenimento di preoccupazioni sull’immagine corporea (Schaefer et al., 2015). Meno esplorata è l'influenza dei partner, che sembra avere un impatto positivo sul benessere psicofisico individuale (Markey et al., 2007). I pochi studi che...
Introduzione. Il soccorritore opera all’interno di una relazione di aiuto ad alto contatto emotivo. L’esposizione a eventi ad alta intensità emotiva, riducendo il benessere (Korotov
et al., 2012), può incrementare lo stress percepito e la probabilità di esperire stress post-traumatico (Soravia et al., 2021). Studi sulla popolazione generale mostran...
L’ansia sociale è un disturbo piuttosto invalidante che genera molta sofferenza, nonché importanti ripercussioni negative sul funzionamento individuale e relazionale (Stein, 2017). I classici trattamenti evidence-based (Terapia Cognitiva Comportamentale) del Disturbo d'Ansia Sociale (SAD) sono oggi integrati con strategie terapeutiche più recenti (...
Through a 2 × 2 experimental vignette design, we tested if partner perceived attractiveness in interaction with appearance-related comments from one’s partner might affect women and men’s body dissatisfaction, body shame, acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and perceived relationship quality. Participants were 154 women and 157 men living in Italy (mea...
In Italy, breast cancer survivors are increasing (AIRTUM, 2020). This population reports higher levels of body-image concerns associated with higher psychological distress and lower quality of life (Davis et al.,
2020). The purpose of this study is to examine the role of negative and positive body image on well-being and psychological-inflexibility...
Although correlational studies showed that Instagram use is associated with negative outcomes related to body image (Feerick, 2021), experiments are scarce. This study examined the effects of being appreciated on Instagram (numbers of Likes) and knowing whether or not the physical appearance of a person in an Instagram image has been altered (Discl...
Instagram plays an important role on men’s body image, favoring social comparison and the tendency to use strategies for managing one’s appearance (Gültzow et al., 2020). While research show that Instagram use is associated with greater acceptance of cosmetic surgery for women, studies are scarce for men. This study investigated the role of both In...
Objective
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale‐Self Report (LSAS‐SR) is a self‐report measure of social anxiety (SA), which has shown adequate psychometric properties across cultures. However, no study has systematically evaluated its measurement invariance (MI) between (a) individuals with and without a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and...
This study examined the effects of being appreciated on Instagram (numbers of Likes) and knowing whether or not the physical appearance of a person depicted in an Instagram image has been altered (Disclaimer)-on women's self-awareness, body dissatisfaction, and social physique anxiety, both independently and in combination. The study used a 2×2 bet...
Il volume propone un percorso di auto-aiuto in 10 step, completo di esercizi, questionari e attività da realizzare per imparare a gestire l’ansia e superare la paura del giudizio altrui.
This response letter highlights the importance for cosmetic surgeons to take a psychosocial perspective, considering the role of social media influences on the acceptance of cosmetic surgery in young women. Furthermore, through this article we have provided a brief overview of possible interventions useful to prevent the negative influences that so...
Introduction. Recent and robust empirical evidence showed a rising prevalence of body dissatisfaction and Eating Disorders (EDs) among men, noting that both may be oriented more toward muscularity as opposed to thinness-oriented concerns (for a review, see Nagata et al., 2020). Research about eating concerns’ risk factors has predominantly focused...
Introduction. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) can be considered a cheap and effective self-method to help identify any changes in breast tissue early (Chouliara et al., 2004). Despite the recommendations and benefits of BSE, many women do not regularly examine their breasts. (e.g., Ashton et al., 2001) also in the Italian context (Fontana & Bischoff,...
Introduction. Sociocultural influences have a relevant impact on dissatisfaction with muscularity and on the implementation of unhealthy behaviors aimed at increasing muscularity in men (Rodgers et al., 2012). Body-compassion is a construct that incorporates body image and self-compassion (Altman et al., 2017). Developing a compassionate attitude t...
Introduction. During pregnancy women seem to experience high levels of body dissatisfaction due to the bodily changes that occur during this period and that make the intention to undergo cosmetic surgery more likely. However, these procedures do not always improve body dissatisfaction. In this regard, mindfulness seems to play an important protecti...
Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine, through an experimental
vignette design, the effects of appearance-related comments from one’s partner on body image and the perceived quality of one’s relationship. Body image was considered both in negative (body dissatisfaction) and positive (body compassion) terms.
Methods: Appearanc...
Background
This study aimed to test a model in which Instagram images-based activities related to self, friends, and celebrities were associated with acceptance of cosmetic surgery via Instagram appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction. We predicted that Instagram use for images-related activities involving celebrities and self (but not frien...
Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic a lockdown was imposed, and individuals were forced to stay at home with strong limitations in their lives. In this period, the adherence to several anti-contagion measures was the only way to contain the pandemic and overwhelmed healthcare systems until vaccines would be available. Protection Motivation The...
Background: In recent years, body image research has focused on the aspects of positive body image (Smolak & Cash, 2011). This represents an important change in this area from a primary focus on negative body image to a comprehensive exploration of the body image concept. Aims: Validation of measures to help understand the positive and healthy char...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the adherence to anti-contagion measures was the way to contain the pandemic and overwhelmed healthcare systems. Protection Motivation Theory might offer a valid framework to identify predictors of individuals' motivation to protect themselves from COVID-19. We examined the role of threat and coping appraisals, togethe...
Aims. The study aimed to investigate, in a group of sportsmen, the predictor role of coach influences, internalization of the ideals of general attractiveness and muscularity and social comparison, with respect to drive for muscularity. Of the latter variable, both the dimensions that characterize it have been taken into consideration, that are the...
Introduction. Recently there is an increasing number of women having cosmetic procedures (ASAPS, 2019). Italy ranks sixth in the list of countries with the largest number of women who underwent cosmetic surgical procedures (ISAPS, 2018). Such interest can derive from the emphasis that the Italian society places on physical appearance (Barcaccia et...
Introduction. Physique and physical appearance are ever important in how people see themselves and are viewed by others in their social environment, especially in western culture in which the levels of body dissatisfaction are high among women (MacNeill, Best, & Davis, 2017), also in the Italian context (Pirani & Matera, 2020). People with negative...
INTRODUCTION. The literature on the effectiveness of treatments for social anxiety shows very high rates of non-responders that may represent a subgroup of people for whom standard Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is not effective (e.g., Davidson et al., 2004; McCarthy et al., 2013). According to the recent revision of the narcissism construct (P...
Introduction. Instagram is a photo-based social network that has risen in popularity among young women, also in Italy (Global Digital Report, 2019). Appearance-related activities on Instagram have a detrimental impact on women body image (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016; Kleemans et al, 2018). Some research has shown that social media might encourage peopl...
This study aimed to compare perspective-taking with a hypothetical target and perspective-taking occurring during a real interaction with an outgroup member in reducing prejudice towards people with disabilities and other groups (e.g., immigrants, homosexual people), via increased empathy. We adopted an experimental design with two treatment groups...
This study aimed to compare perspective‐taking with a hypothetical target and perspective‐taking occurring during a real interaction with an outgroup member in reducing prejudice toward people with disabilities and other groups (e.g., immigrants, homosexual people), via increased empathy. We adopted an experimental design with two treatment groups...
Recent research has shown the negative impact that social networks, especially Instagram, can have on body image. The present research aims to analyze factorial structure and psychometric properties of Instagram Image Activity Scale (IIAS) and Instagram Appearance Comparison Scale (IACS) in the Italian context. These instruments allow to detect the...
The present study aimed to analyze the role of Instagram use for images-related activities on the Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) among young Italian women. Instagram appearance comparison was taken into account as a mediating variable. Internalization of thin ideal and Body Mass Index were also considered. Participants were 300 Italian women who com...
Verbal commentary on physical appearance are feedback that people receive about their physical appearance. They can be positive or negative and have as content the appearance in general or specific parts of the body. Such comments are relevant in social relationships, especially if they come from significant others such as the partner. Research sho...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the factor structure of the Italian version of the Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale-Partner (VCOPAS-P; Carriere e Kluck, 2014), which assesses comments on physical appearance received from one’s partner.
The participants were 313 Italian women. Item analysis and confirmatory factor analy...
This study aimed to examine the association between positive (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) and negative (isolation, self-judgment, and over-identification) components of self-compassion, and both body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery among women, through the mediation (for the negative components) of internaliz...
The present study aims to investigate the use of Instagram for activities concerning images related to self, friends and celebrities and the frequency and direction of the appearance comparison on Instagram among Italian young men and women. Specific activities with images on Instagram were examined as predictors of appearance comparison tendency,...
In recent years, the focus of body image research has been focused on the aspects of positive body image (Smolak & Cash, 2011). Validation of measures to help understand the positive, adaptive and healthy characteristics of body image is therefore particularly important. The Body Compassion Scale (BCS) (Altman et al., 2017) is a self-report scale a...
This study aims to examine the factorial structure and reliability of:
- Instagram Image Activity Scale (IIAS) (Meier & Gray, 2014);
and
- Instagram Appearance Comparison Scale (IACS) (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2015).
The present research aimed to identify if Self-Compassion’ dimensions were linked to both body dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery among Italian young women.
The purpose of the study was to examine the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the SPAS-7, designed to measure anxiety related to the perceived negative evaluation of one’s physique by others.
The present research aims to investigate the relationship between positive and negative comments about general appearance and weight received by the partner, couple satisfaction and individual body dissatisfaction. 82 heterosexual couples were given a questionnaire designed to measure the examined variables. The research hypotheses were tested thro...
Comments on physical appearance are feedback that the individual received regarding their physical appearance; comments can be positive or negative and the target is physical appearance in general or specific parts of body. These are relevant within social relationships, especially if they come from significant others such as the romantic partner....
