Psychological and pedagogical sciences

Module CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

The objectives of the course include acquiring adequate knowledge of the basic constructs and methods of clinical psychology and their application in the areas of prevention, psychological assessment, and psychological interventions within the clinical psychology field.

The course will also provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of both functional and dysfunctional adaptation, the main psychopathological disorders, and their related cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes.

Ecco il paragrafo in italiano:

La didattica dell’insegnamento di Psicologia Clinica si svolgerà prevalentemente in modalità frontale, attraverso lezioni strutturate finalizzate alla presentazione dei principali modelli teorici e delle evidenze scientifiche utili alla comprensione dei processi psicologici nei contesti sanitari. Particolare attenzione sarà dedicata agli aspetti emotivi, relazionali e comunicativi della pratica infermieristica e ostetrica, alla gestione dello stress e del carico assistenziale, nonché alla comprensione delle principali condizioni psicopatologiche che possono emergere nei diversi setting di cura. Le lezioni saranno integrate da discussione di casi clinico-assistenziali, analisi di situazioni professionali e momenti di confronto guidato, al fine di favorire l’acquisizione di competenze relazionali e la capacità di applicare le conoscenze psicologiche alla pratica clinica.

Il corso è altresì impostato in modalità English friendly: sulla base delle necessità, le lezioni potranno essere tenute in lingua inglese; il materiale didattico (slide, articoli scientifici, eventuali letture di approfondimento) sarà reso disponibile anche in lingua inglese e, su richiesta, sarà possibile sostenere l’esame in lingua inglese.

Here is the English translation:

The course Clinical Psychology will be delivered primarily through traditional lectures, consisting of structured sessions aimed at presenting the main theoretical models and scientific evidence relevant to understanding psychological processes in healthcare settings. Particular attention will be devoted to the emotional, relational, and communication aspects of nursing and midwifery practice, the management of stress and care burden, and the understanding of the main psychopathological conditions that may emerge in different care contexts. Lectures will be complemented by discussions of clinical-care cases, analysis of professional situations, and guided classroom discussions in order to foster the development of relational skills and the ability to apply psychological knowledge to clinical practice.

The course is also designed in an English-friendly format: depending on students’ needs, lectures may be delivered in English; teaching materials (slides, scientific articles, and any additional readings) will also be made available in English, and, upon request, students may take the examination in English.

• THE CLINICAL INTERVIEW IN PSYCHOLOGY
• THEORIES AND MODELS OF EMOTION PROCESSING AND REGULATION
• STRESS AND STRESS-RELATED CLINICAL CONDITIONS
• UNIPOLAR AND BIPOLAR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
• POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
• ANXIETY DISORDERS AND OBSESSIVE SPECTRUM DISORDERS
• ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER AND THE ROLE OF THE PATIENT
• TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
• PERSONALITY DISORDERS

“Contribution of the course to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being

The assessment consists of an oral exam on the topics covered in the syllabus.
The evaluation criteria are based on:

• Acquisition of the main models and theoretical approaches in clinical psychology and clinical psychopathology;

• Clarity of presentation on the course content;

• Competence in using specialized terminology.

§ What is meant by emotion? What are the consequences of emotions?

§ What is the difference between primary and secondary emotions?

§ What is the evolutionary function of emotions?

§ How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems act in the expression of emotions?

§ Describe James Gross' model of emotional regulation.

§ What is meant by alexithymia?

§ What are the characteristic symptoms of depression (affective, cognitive, motivational, behavioral, and physiological symptoms)?

§ How does a depressed patient evaluate themselves, the world, and the future?

§ What are cognitive biases? What are the cognitive biases typical of depression?

§ What are the clinical characteristics of postpartum depression?

§ What is the difference between suicide, failed suicide, and parasuicide?

§ What is a suicidal plan and what meanings can it take for the patient?

§ Describe the evaluation of suicidal risk (what should be evaluated)?

§ Provide a definition of anxiety.

§ What is the difference between physiological and pathological anxiety?

§ What are the cognitive and physiological aspects of anxiety?

§ How does an anxious patient evaluate themselves and the world?

§ What is meant by the "white bear effect"?

§ What is the main characteristic of social anxiety disorder? What is the main fear for the patient?

§ How does the vicious cycle develop in a patient with social anxiety?

§ What are the cognitive symptoms of panic?

§ What strategies do patients with anxiety disorders typically use? Do these strategies work?

§ What is the main fear of a patient with agoraphobia? What are the most feared situations?

§ What is meant by specific phobia?

§ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What are obsessions? What are compulsions? What is the purpose of compulsions?

§ What types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are identified?

§ Discuss the role of the patient and the sick role behavior.

§ What are the characteristics of illness anxiety disorder? What are the fears of a patient with this disorder?

§ How does a hypochondriac perceive themselves? Besides anxiety, what other emotion is typical of this disorder?