23265 - Clinimetrics

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will be able to: define clinimetric assessment in the clinical and research context; evaluate the utility of a test in the clinical and research context; understand and apply the main clinimetric measures; draft a clinimetric profile in the clinical and research context also in line with new challenges of clinical psychological evaluation in the 21st century and the ONU Agenda 2030

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester  at the Cesena Campus of the Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari" and it is aimed at second-year students of the Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology.

• The assessment in clinical psychology: fundamentals, methods, ethical and cultural aspects. Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment, Ecological Momentary and the new challenges of clinical psychological evaluation in the 21st century

• Clinimetrics: definition and implications of the use of assessment tools in the clinical context
• Semi-structured interviews to support diagnosis according to the main international psychiatric diagnostic systems. Structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (and DSM 5 TR) disorders: advantages and limitations (SCID 5)
• Assessment of personality and personality disorders (including SCID 5 PD)
• Assessment of depressive symptoms
• Assessment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and psychological trauma symptoms
• Assessment of symptoms of eating disorders and weight-related disorders and obesity
• Assessment of trans-diagnostic factors (cognitive processes, irrational thoughts, emotional regulation, perfectionism, motivation to change)
• Assessment of family and couple functioning
• Assessment of positive psychological functioning and outcomes in third-generation psychological theories and therapies (e.g., Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
• Assessment of mental health in the context of climate change: Eco-emotions in the hera of 2030 Agenda
• Drafting a clinimetric report

Readings/Bibliography

LECTURER’S HANDOUT (MANDATORY)

The course handout for Clinimetrics, containing the material presented during lectures, is essential for the preparation and successful completion of the exam. Students are invited to download the handout from the website: https://virtuale.unibo.it/ using their institutional University of Bologna credentials.

Access to and use of the teaching material is restricted to students enrolled at the University of Bologna.
No part of the teaching material—whether in PowerPoint or PDF format—made available by the lecturer and accessible on the Virtuale platform may be reproduced under any circumstances or in any form, whether electronic or mechanical (including photocopying), without the written permission of the lecturer. Furthermore, the teaching material made available online by the lecturer may not be used or shared on websites other than those of the University of Bologna without the lecturer’s permission.

IN ADDITION TO THE HANDOUT MATERIAL, THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY MATERIALS MUST BE STUDIED:

• Grandi S, Rafanelli C, Fava GA. Manuale di psicosomatica, Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore, 2011 (Chapter 7). ISBN: 9788849003949

• Fava GA, Tomba E. Il panico. Nella trappola della paura, Il Mulino, Series: Farsi un’idea (2013) ISBN-10: 8815244786 ISBN-13: 9788815244789

• Scientific articles: Additional scientific articles may be provided to supplement the exam materials. If deemed useful for the exam, these articles will be made available by the lecturer under "Didactic Resources" on Virtuale [https://virtuale.unibo.it [https://virtuale.unibo.it/] ]

FOR OPTIONAL INDIVIDUAL IN-DEPTH STUDY (NOT MANDATORY):

• Gordon J., Asmundson G. Comprehensive Clinical Psychology. 2nd Edition (2022). Elsevier.
  Hardback ISBN: 9780128186978; eBook ISBN: 9780128222324

  • Ch. 2.11 (entire chapter)

  • Ch. 3.05 (entire chapter)

  • Ch. 4.1 (topics discussed in class)

  • Ch. 4.3.3 (specific paragraph only)

  • Ch. 4.5 (from the beginning of the chapter up to and including paragraph 4.05.4.3.1)

  • Ch. 4.6 (entire chapter except for paragraphs 4.06.3, 4.06.3.1, 4.06.3.2)

  • Ch. 4.16 (from the beginning of the chapter up to and including paragraph 4.16.2.5)

  • Ch. 11.12 (entire chapter)
    Available as an e-book via the AlmaStart platform:
    https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/referencework/9780128222324/comprehensive-clinical-psychology
    [https://almastart.unibo.it/primo-explore/search?vid=39UBO_VU ] — access restricted to University of Bologna students with UNIBO credentials.

• Tomba E., Schumann R. (2020). Possible Family Interventions, in Parenting and Eating Disorders, Eds. Umberto Nizzoli, Daniela Beltrami. SICS Editore S.r.l., Rome. ISBN: 9788869307805 (indicated chapter only)

• Conti L. Repertorio delle scale di valutazione in psichiatria. SEE EDITORE, 1999 (Chapters 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 22) ISBN: 8884650143

 

Teaching methods

Lectures. During the lectures, tests will also be presented through the discussion of clinical cases

Attendance to lessons is not mandatory but preparatory for the learning and exam.

Assessment methods

The final evaluation will consist in an ORAL exam. There are no mid-term evaluations.

The ORAL exam is aimed to assess the student's knowledge regarding the topics included in the reading materials available and discussed in classes.

The highest final mark (30/30), eventually cum laude, will reflect the comprehensiveness, adequacy and full articulation of the report. The following criteria will be considered in making corrections to the exam: congruency and completeness of answers (0-10 points); critical elaboration of the presented contents (0-10 points); completeness of theoretical frameworks (0-10 points); proving some clinical examples represent further criteria for grade bonus (cum laude). The exam will be judged according to the Italian Exam Grade which uses a 30-point scale that can be divided into failing (0 to 17) and passing (18 to 30 cum laude) grades. Marks will progressively decrease based on lack of information (i.e., lack of clinical reasoning, relevant studies neither cited nor described) and/or in case of inaccurate or off-topic answers.

To take the exam, students must enroll through AlmaEsami online service within the deadline. For any concerns and questions please contact the International Relations Office. To take the booked exam students will receive an email (one day earlier the day of the exam) indicating the exact hour of the individual oral exam.

Students will be asked to show the ID card for identification. Please remember to keep it handy as if you do not identify yourself, you will not be able to take the exam.

At the end of the exam you will be notified of the grade which will be recorded on ALMAESAMI

During the exam students are not allowed to consult any materials, such as textbooks, ebook, notes, or electronic devices.

Erasmus or exchange program students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course or, in any case, at least 15 days prior to the exam date. 

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or Temporary/Permanent Disabilities: Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or with temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the dedicated University Office in advance: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en .

The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations for the students concerned.
These accommodations must, however, be submitted for approval to the course lecturer at least 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

During the course, the following tools will be used: video projector, DVD player, overhead projector, and PC. Printed versions of the tests presented during the lectures will be shown to students whenever possible.

Access to teaching materials is restricted exclusively to students enrolled in the Clinimetrics course, Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Bologna. These materials are not intended for external circulation or unauthorized publication.

The teaching material made available online by the lecturer on the Virtuale platform must not be used for any other purpose or shared on websites outside of the University of Bologna without the lecturer’s permission.

Links to further information

https://psicologia.unibo.it/it/ricerca/gruppi-di-ricerca/eating-attitudes-team-eateam

Office hours

See the website of Elena Tomba