Findings from Oxford Brookes University Broaden Understanding of Psychology and Psychiatry (caramelle, Caramelle! American Food and Italians In the Second World War: Propaganda, Othering, and Food Exchange).

This article focuses on the role of American food and its exchange during the Allied occupation of Italy in World War II, examining how these interactions influenced the relationship between occupying forces and the local population. Drawing on unpublished diaries, confidential reports from the Psychological Warfare Branch, and other historical materials, the research highlights the complexities of gifting, bartering, and black market trade involving American comfort food and military rations. It explores mutual perceptions shaped by hope, nostalgia, supremacy, and fairness, and concludes with an analysis of John Hersey's novel *A Bell for Adano*, which reflects contrasting views of the occupation. The study was conducted by Oxford Brookes University and has undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]