PSICOLOGIA CLINICA 1
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: MARIA CATENA AUSILIA QUATTROPANIExpected Learning Outcomes
The objectives of the course concern the acquisition of adequate skills on the basic constructs and methods of clinical psychology and their application in the field of prevention, the psychodiagnostic process and psychological interventions in the clinical field. Knowledge of functional and dysfunctional adaptation mechanisms, the genesis of existential difficulties linked to critical or psychopathological conditions and the biopsycho-social factors that intervene on cognitive, affective and behavioral processes will be explored. The course also includes the acquisition of the main methods and tools for clinical psychological and neuropsychological evaluation (clinical interview or interview, observation, questionnaires and tests) and intervention models in clinical psychology according to the objectives (health promotion, consultancy, support, rehabilitation, therapy) in the different application contexts and the related methodologies of empirical verification of the effectiveness of interventions, as well as the ethical and deontological dimension in the clinical-psychological field.
At the end of the course the student will obtain the knowledge and method necessary to operate in the field of clinical psychology and the skills relating to specific assessments and interventions. They will have gained knowledge relating to the different topics covered by the lessons and will understand the connection between theoretical approaches, research results, tools and treatment planning. You will be able to compare different approaches, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical orientations. The student will acquire the skills to intervene with specific clinical-psychological tools at an individual, interpersonal and group level in the application areas of clinical psychology.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Method in Clinical Psychology: models and theories
Diagnostic process and assessment in Clinical Psychology
Basics of psychopathology
Intervention in Clinical Psychology
Research in clinical psychology
Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being for All at All Ages
- Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being and reduce premature mortality through the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions.
- Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and other forms of addiction, with particular attention to substance misuse.
Goal 4: Quality, Equitable and Inclusive Education
- Target 4.7: Ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including respect for cultural diversity and the promotion of peace.
Teaching Methods
- Lectures
- Supplementary and in-depth learning materials
The course in Clinical Psychology contributes to these objectives by providing students with theoretical and practical tools to understand and address psychological issues from a prevention, health promotion, and inclusion perspective. The course also encourages critical reflection on the individual and collective factors that influence mental health and well-being, fostering the development of transferable skills that can contribute to a more sustainable society.
Textbook Information
1. Kring/Johnson, Abnormal Psychology, 15th Edition, International Adaptation. 2022 John Wiley & Sons.
2. Quattropani, M.C., Barbosa, M.L.L., Lenzo, V. et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of resilience: cross cultural differences between Brazil, Italy, and the United States. BMC Public Health 23, 2278 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16687-4
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction and Historical Overview | #1 |
| 2 | Current approaches in psychopathology | #1 |
| 3 | psychophysiological and psychobiological vulnerability factors | #1 |
| 4 | Neurosciences and clinical psychology | #1 |
| 5 | research methods in psychopathology | #1 |
| 6 | diagnosis and assessment | #1 |
| 7 | clinical psychological assessment | #1 |
| 8 | neuropsychological assessment | #1 |
| 9 | DSM; PDM; HiTOP | #1 |
| 10 | psychopathology | #1 |
| 11 | clinical psychological interventions | #1 |
| 12 | psychological counselling | #1 |
| 13 | cyberpsychology | #1 |
| 14 | evidence based treatments | #1 |
| 15 | legal and ethical issues | #1 |
| 16 | psychological treatments in healthcare contexts | #1 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Assessment Method
Assessment will consist of a written examination, which will serve as an opportunity to assess the learning outcomes achieved throughout the course.
The examination will last 45 minutes and will consist of 31 multiple-choice questions.
Grading Criteria
- Correct answer = 1 point
- Incorrect answer or no answer = 0 points
The examination is considered passed with at least 18 correct answers.
The final grade will be determined by the total number of correct answers.
A student who answers all 31 questions correctly will be awarded a grade of 30/30 with honors (cum laude).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Theories and constructs (models: psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic-relational family, humanistic-experiential)
Case formulation
Therapeutic relationship
Causality and risk factors and psychopathology in the life cycle (models: traits, environmental, diathesis-stress, biopsychosocial)
Psychophysiological and psychobiological factors of vulnerability
Neuroscience and mind-brain unity, connectivity
Quantitative and qualitative research methodology and designs
Diagnostic process in clinical psychology
Assessment, cognitive and clinical neuropsychological evaluation
Validation of assessment tools
Diagnostic classification systems (PDM-2, DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, HiTOP, RDoC)
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders and OCD
Somatization disorders
Trauma and related disorders
Addiction, conduct and impulse control disorders
Psychopathy and antisociality
Schizophrenia
Personality disorders
Nutrition and eating disorders
Sexual behavior disorders
Chronic illness and mental health
Phases of the clinical intervention
Psychological counseling
Internet and artificial intelligence in clinical psychology
Empirical verification of interventions
Professional ethics and deontology
Intervention in the healthcare and third sector