Dear Colleagues,

Chronic diseases represent one of the major challenges for contemporary health psychology, requiring not only effective medical treatments but also sustained psychological and behavioral adaptation. A growing body of research highlights how emotional processes, stress regulation, and psychological well-being play a crucial role in disease management, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life in individuals living with chronic conditions.

Emotional dysregulation, chronic stress, and trauma-related experiences can significantly impact patients' ability to engage in health-promoting behaviors, adhere to complex treatment regimens, and maintain lifestyle changes over time. Difficulties in emotion regulation are associated with maladaptive coping strategies, reduced motivation, poorer self-care, and increased psychological distress, all of which may negatively affect disease outcomes.

At the same time, positive psychological resources, such as adaptive emotion regulation strategies, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support, can facilitate behavioral engagement, improve adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and promote better adjustment to chronic illness. Interventions targeting psychological and behavioral pathways, including physical activity, stress management, and psychosocial support, are increasingly recognized as essential components of integrated chronic disease care.

This Special Issue aims to advance the understanding of the psychological and behavioral mechanisms underlying chronic disease management, with a particular focus on the interplay between emotional processes, health behaviors, and treatment adherence. We welcome research articles, review articles, and short communications addressing diverse chronic conditions.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Emotion regulation and psychological distress in chronic illness
• Stress, trauma, and long-term disease management
• Psychological determinants of treatment adherence
• Behavioral pathways linking mental health and physical outcomes
• The role of physical activity and lifestyle behaviors in chronic disease
• Psychosocial interventions to enhance self-management and adherence

By integrating psychological and behavioral perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to contribute to a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to chronic disease management within health psychology research.

Dr. Patrizia Pignataro
Guest Editor