{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T10:17:48Z","timestamp":1780913868795,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":73,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]],"date-time":"2026-06-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780617600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["EJIHPE"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The internal saboteur may be understood as a multidimensional configuration of maladaptive inner processes involving recurrent negative self-evaluation, distressing relational expectations, repetitive negative thinking, and self-undermining inner experiences. Within this framework, the present study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Internal Saboteur Scale (ISS), a self-report measure designed to assess this construct. A sample of 328 Italian adults (women 71.6%; Mage = 37.37, SD = 14.88) completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analyses supported both an eight-factor correlational model and a theoretically meaningful higher-order model, in which the lower-order dimensions were grouped into four broader domains: Negative Relational Expectations (Expected Rejection; Expected Judgment), Self-Devaluation (Negative Self-Appraisal; Interpersonal Unworthiness), Rumination (Retrospective Rumination; Anticipatory Rumination), and Internal Destructiveness (Helplessness; Defensive Relational Withdrawal). Measurement invariance across gender was also supported. All dimensions showed satisfactory-to-good internal consistency. Furthermore, ISS scores were negatively associated with secure attachment, self-reassurance, and mentalizing and positively associated with insecure attachment, self-criticism, shame, and anger. Overall, the ISS appears to be a theoretically grounded and psychometrically promising instrument for the assessment of maladaptive inner dialogue and self-sabotaging internal processes. It may represent a useful tool for both research and clinical practice, particularly in supporting transdiagnostic assessment and case formulation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ejihpe16060080","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,8]],"date-time":"2026-06-08T07:43:02Z","timestamp":1780904582000},"page":"80","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Operationalizing the Construct of the Internal Saboteur: Development and Psychometric Validation of the Internal Saboteur Scale (ISS)"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1984-1729","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vincenzo","family":"Caretti","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, Via della Traspontina, 21, 00193 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0849-1249","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Eleonora","family":"Topino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Via Isimbardi, 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7326-1696","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrea","family":"Fontana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, Via della Traspontina, 21, 00193 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gianluigi","family":"Di Cesare","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Prevention and Early Intervention Complex Operative Unit, Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1, 00193 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Clara","family":"Mucci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Via Salvecchio 19, 24129 Bergamo, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5181-2648","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adriano","family":"Schimmenti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Human and Social Sciences, UKE-Kore University of Enna, Piazza dell\u2019Universit\u00e0, 94100 Enna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6867-2319","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alessio","family":"Gori","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, 50135 Florence, Italy"},{"name":"Integrated Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Institute (IPPI), Via Ricasoli 32, 50122 Florence, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association (2022). 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