12612 - Developmental Psychopathology

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing a dynamyc approach, focusing on modalities of organisation (and thus disorganisation and riorganisation) and functioning during infancy and adolescence, called “first and second birth”. The reference model is  the transational model of development (multiple levels of context assessment, variety of contexts and interactive fields, family-relationship history). The clinical relational matrix involves the collection and the comprehension of objective (observation) and subjective (emotional states) data: from this point of view we take in consideration some of the evaluation and assessment tools used in developmental psychopathology.

Course contents

The lessons are focused on:

A) Psychopathology of Infancy.

1-Psychodynamic models in infancy psychopathology.

2-Diagnosis in Infancy.

3-Infant observation.

4-Parents-infant early interactions in risk situations or psychopathology.

5-Clinical pictures.

B)     Psychopathology of Adolescence

1-Organisation and functioning in adolescence.

2-Depression.

3-Eating disorders.

4-Behavioural disorders.

Readings/Bibliography

Oral exam includes 3 books: 2 are fixed, while the third has to be chosen by the student.

Fixed books:

 Ammaniti Massimo (a cura di) (2001). Manuale di psicopatologia dell'infanzia. Raffaello Cortina Editore

Jeammet Philippe (1999). Psicopatologia dell'adolescenza. Edizioni Borla

Book to be chosen:

-Fabbrici, C.(2001). Nel caravanserraglio: percorsi terapeutici con bambini e adolescenti gravi. Edizioni Borla.

-Jeammet, P. (2007). Anoressia Bulimia. Franco Angeli.

-Monti, F., Agostini, F. (2006).La depressione postnatale. Carocci.

-Pozzi E.M. (2004). I disagi dei bambini da 0 a 5 anni. Bruno Mondadori.

Teaching methods

The course will be divided in:

1- Frontal lessons about the main theoretical models.

2- Frontal lessons about risk factors and psychopathology in infancy and adolescence.

3- Analyses of interactive videorecorded sequences in infancy,  to find out risk factors and psychopathological signs.

4- Analysis and group discussion of clinical cases in infancy.

5- Training on tools for the diagnostic assessment.

6- Roleplaying

Assessment methods

Oral exam on recommended books.

Teaching tools

Videoplayer, PC.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Agostini