Psychological Mechanisms and Processes Underlying Health and Illness
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to offer students:
A) the knowledge of the main psychological models and constructs involved in the adaptive or maladaptive response to illness during the life cycle
B) the skills to critically discuss clinical cases with reference to mourning and grief, trauma, sexuality, and attachment relationships.
A) the knowledge of the main psychological models and constructs involved in the adaptive or maladaptive response to illness during the life cycle
B) the skills to critically discuss clinical cases with reference to mourning and grief, trauma, sexuality, and attachment relationships.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- discuss the characteristics and practical implications of the biopsychosocial model
- describe the main defense mechanisms and coping strategies
- describe the main grief models and their application to situations of illness
- discuss the main transformations of the body and of sexuality during illness
- describe the characteristics of psychological trauma and principles of trauma-informed care
- describe the different attachment models and discuss their influence during illness
- discuss family developmental tasks in case of illness
- describe the main challenges for safeguarding health in special contexts (e.g. prison institutions)
- discuss and illustrate the main psychological problems of the helping professions
- discuss the characteristics and practical implications of the biopsychosocial model
- describe the main defense mechanisms and coping strategies
- describe the main grief models and their application to situations of illness
- discuss the main transformations of the body and of sexuality during illness
- describe the characteristics of psychological trauma and principles of trauma-informed care
- describe the different attachment models and discuss their influence during illness
- discuss family developmental tasks in case of illness
- describe the main challenges for safeguarding health in special contexts (e.g. prison institutions)
- discuss and illustrate the main psychological problems of the helping professions
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
The course aims to describe and discuss the following topics:
The biopsychosocial model and the new concept of health and illness
Adaptation strategies in the face of illness: the defense mechanisms and coping styles
Pain management
Modification of the body and sexuality during illness
Loss and grief during illness
Trauma in healthcare context
Attachment during the life cycle and during illness
The burden of care and mental well-being of healthcare professionals (moral distress, burn out)
Health and illness in special contexts (e.g. prison institutions)
The biopsychosocial model and the new concept of health and illness
Adaptation strategies in the face of illness: the defense mechanisms and coping styles
Pain management
Modification of the body and sexuality during illness
Loss and grief during illness
Trauma in healthcare context
Attachment during the life cycle and during illness
The burden of care and mental well-being of healthcare professionals (moral distress, burn out)
Health and illness in special contexts (e.g. prison institutions)
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures
Videos and discussion of clinical cases
Individual and groupworks.
Teaching materials will be uploaded in Ariel along with other teaching materials.
Videos and discussion of clinical cases
Individual and groupworks.
Teaching materials will be uploaded in Ariel along with other teaching materials.
Teaching Resources
Elisabeth Kuberl Ross. La morte e il morire. (2005) Cittadella Editrice.
Bessel van der Kolk. Il corpo accusa il colpo (2015) Raffaello Cortina Editore
Cassibba. Attaccamenti multipli. (2003). Unicopli
Altri articoli di approfondimento verranno consegnati a lezione
Bessel van der Kolk. Il corpo accusa il colpo (2015) Raffaello Cortina Editore
Cassibba. Attaccamenti multipli. (2003). Unicopli
Altri articoli di approfondimento verranno consegnati a lezione
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam with 25 multiple choice questions (maximum score 25/30) and 2 open-ended questions (3 points each
M-PSI/08 - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professors:
Lamiani Giulia Marta, Vegni Elena Anna Maria
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)