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Mentalized affectivity in a nutshell: Validation of the Italian version of the Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale (B-MAS)

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Listed:
  • Marianna Liotti
  • Grazia Fernanda Spitoni
  • Vittorio Lingiardi
  • Antonella Marchetti
  • Anna Maria Speranza
  • Annalisa Valle
  • Elliot Jurist
  • Guido Giovanardi

Abstract

The term “mentalized affectivity” describes the ability to reflect on, process, modulate and express emotions through the prism of autobiographical memory. It represents a bridge concept that integrates previous contributions on emotion regulation and mentalization, offering a quite unique perspective on affective and reflective functioning. The overall aim of this study was to validate the Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale (B-MAS), a 12-items self-report instrument, on the Italian population. We tested both the factorial validity of the instrument and its reliability and convergent validity with other similar constructs. We also obtained normative data for the Italian population, broken down by gender. Participants (n = 389) were recruited through snowball sampling. Data was collected through an online survey. Besides the Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale, the survey included an ad hoc schedule with questions investigating socio-demographic characteristics, and self-report measures of empathy and reflective functioning. Statistical analysis has shown a three-component (Identifying, Processing, and Expressing emotions) hierarchical structure underlying mentalized affectivity, mirroring the model already proposed in the original validation of the instrument. Moreover, the B-MAS showed good psychometric properties for what regards both reliability and convergent validity. The results of our study highlight the good operationalization and robust empirical foundation of the construct, revealing that the B-MAS is a promising instrument to assess mentalized affectivity. Its brevity makes it particularly valuable both in clinical and research contexts, and the normative data provided in this study will allow an easy comparison with the scores obtained by other samples (clinical and non-clinical).

Suggested Citation

  • Marianna Liotti & Grazia Fernanda Spitoni & Vittorio Lingiardi & Antonella Marchetti & Anna Maria Speranza & Annalisa Valle & Elliot Jurist & Guido Giovanardi, 2021. "Mentalized affectivity in a nutshell: Validation of the Italian version of the Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale (B-MAS)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0260678
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260678
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Niccolò Morandotti & Natascia Brondino & Alessia Merelli & Annalisa Boldrini & Giulia Zelda De Vidovich & Sara Ricciardo & Vera Abbiati & Paolo Ambrosi & Edgardo Caverzasi & Peter Fonagy & Patrick Luy, 2018. "The Italian version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire: Validity data for adults and its association with severity of borderline personality disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Teresa Rinaldi & Ilaria Castelli & Andrea Greco & David M Greenberg & Elliot Jurist & Annalisa Valle & Antonella Marchetti, 2021. "The Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS): Development and validation of the Italian version," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(4), pages 1-22, April.
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