B2697 - Clinical Psychology in Nutrition Science

Learning outcomes

The course will provide the basic knowledge and skills relating to the psychological determinants of eating behaviors, analyzed in a continuum from normality to pathology. The course will have a specific focus on eating and nutrition disorders and on all those psychopathological conditions (anxiety, mood, obsessive and somatoform spectrum disorders) in which eating behavior is altered and compromised.

The course provides basic notions about clinical psychology and  psychological assessment of eating disorders.  At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1. understand the connections between nutrition and psychological functioning, in a continuum from normality to pathology 2. define clinical psychology, the theoretical models and the main types of intervention in the context of nutrition/eating disorders 3.know and understand eating disorders in the various stages of life 4.know the main screening and assessment tools for problematic eating behaviors, and have skills for their application.

Course contents

definition of clinical psychology
relationships between nutrition and psychological functioning (emotions, thoughts, behaviors)
relationship between diet, well-being and psychological distress
relationships between nutrition and interpersonal functioning (attachment, communication, conflict resolution styles)
DSM-5 nutrition and eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder)
nutrition and eating disorders across the life span
Nutrition and psychopathology: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and somatoform disorders
Methods of assessment and intervention for the symptoms of eating disorders
Screening tools: self-report questionnaires, interviews, nutrition diaries

Readings/Bibliography

Ruini C. Psicologia Positiva e Psicologia Clinica: Una prospettiva integrata (Capp 1-2-3-8). il Mulino, 2021; ISBN: 978-88-15-29338-1

Pruneti C. Psicopatologia e fisiologia dei disturbi del comportamento alimentare. (Capp: 5, 8,9,10, 13, 14, 17, 18) . Società Editrice Esculapio, 2019.

ISNN 27045587

ISBN 978-88-9385-234-0

Teaching methods

Lectures with Power Point Presentation.Active participation to the classes will allow students to learn theories and concepts of clinical psychology within nutrition and eating styles, and to directly practice their applications in various types of interventions.

This is an interactive course, where students will be directly involved in group discussion on the main topics of clinical psychology. students will learn how to use tests and assessment tools for assessing eating disorders and psychologial aspects of nutrition in various stages of life.Role playng and case siscussion will be organized throughout the classes, in order to learn strategies of interventions within the clinical psychology perspectives.

Case exemplifications and role-playing
team work
journal club

Assessment methods

Written test composed of 2 parts. The first part consists of an open question for evaluting knowledge of theories and concepts about the psychological correlates of nutrition, from normality to pathologies. 

The second part consists of a clinical case discussion where students have to identify the presence  of eating disorders and to indicate diagnostic tests/questionnaires to be applied and possible treatment options for the case. 

Both parts will receive a maximum score of 15 points each, for a total of 30 points. A sufficient answer will be scored with 8 points. 

In order to pass the exam, students need to receive a sufficient score in both parts of the test. 

 

Teaching tools

Power point presentation, handouts, available on Virtuale Unibo

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Ruini