INTEGRATED COURSE OF SOCIAL AND WORK PSYCHOLOGYModule ORGANIZATIONAL WELL-BEING IN WORKING GROUPS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE SANTISIExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to examine in depth the dynamics of personal development within the organizational context, focusing specifically on the constraints and resources involved in enhancing organizational well-being and mitigating individual distress. Expected learning outcomes include the ability to conceptualize the dimensions of organizational distress and to identify tools for assessing organizational well-being by examining its antecedents, individual mediating factors, and consequences.
The course reflects and applies the Dublin Descriptors: Knowledge and understanding (DD1), Applying knowledge and understanding (DD2), Making judgements (DD3), Communication skills (DD4), and Learning skills (DD5).
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The course is firmly structured around an integrated approach, delivered primarily through in-person lectures. The module on work psychology consists of 36 engaging hours of lectures, amounting to 6 ECTS credits. This course decisively examines the historical and critical evolution of the concepts of "organization" and "management," with a strong focus on organizational change, innovation processes, and the unintended negative consequences that can arise from these shifts. We will thoroughly analyze tools designed to ensure the psychosocial safety of workers within complex organizations, with specific emphasis on preventing psychosocial risks and stress-related conditions. Potential sources of distress and the critical role of personal resources in risk mitigation will be addressed head-on. Moreover, this course will actively contribute to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The topics we cover will directly relate to the following goals: - Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being.** By enhancing your knowledge about individual well-being within work groups and equipping you with effective tools for planning and assessing organizational health and workplace safety, this course will empower you to conduct assessments that are scientifically grounded and respect personal well-being. - Goal 4 – Quality Education.** This course is dedicated to developing your scientific, methodological, and professional competencies in work psychology, ensuring you gain a robust understanding of methodologies, tools, and procedures for psychosocial risk assessment. - Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities.** We will promote an individualized and methodologically rigorous assessment approach that takes into account individual characteristics and specific contexts, significantly reducing the risk of inappropriate, discriminatory, or potentially harmful assessments within work groups.
Textbook Information
b) Balducci, C., Fraccaroli, F. (2022). Stress e rischi psicosociali nelle organizzazioni. Bologna: Il Mulino (tutto - 300 pp.)
c) The analysis and evaluation tools of the SLC: teacher's notes
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The role of the individual in new organizations | lecturer's notes |
| 2 | The Positive Company and Management Models | lecturer's notes |
| 3 | Organizational well-being and prevention of psychosocial risks | b) Ch. 1° |
| 4 | The role of individual characteristics | b) Ch. 2° |
| 5 | Theoretical models of psychosocial risk | b) Ch. 3° |
| 6 | Assessing stress and psychosocial risk factors in organizations | b) Ch. 4° |
| 7 | Prevention strategies | b) Ch. 5° & 6° |
| 8 | Operational models for analysis and intervention regarding Work-Related Stress (SLC) | lecturer's notes |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam is conducted orally. The final grade may take into account the results of individual or group exercises scheduled by the instructor; participation in these is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.
The criteria used to evaluate students during the exam are as follows:
· Appropriateness of expression regarding content and methodology
· Lexical accuracy
· Breadth and awareness of the subject matter
· Ability to engage in critical analysis
· Ability to make interdisciplinary connections
· Ability to synthesize and re-elaborate acquired knowledge
· Ability to apply knowledge to practical contexts
To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, interested students may request a personal meeting to arrange any necessary compensatory measures and/or dispensations, based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the designated CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration — Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) representative for their Department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Example questions:
a) What is meant by organizational well-being?
b) What are the dimensions investigated?
c) Which historical-social phenomena lead us to investigate psycho-social risks in working environments?
d) What protectionist regulations are in place in Italy?
e) What tools are used to investigate organizational well-being and on which theoretical-methodological dimensions are they developed?
f) On what dimensions are preventive intervention strategies designed?
g) What function does training have?