12612 - Psychopathology of Development

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student:-will know the main contributions and theories in developmental psychopathology; -will know the main parenting issues and the most important disorders regarding parenthood; -will know the main clinical psychopathological disorders regarding first and second childhood, their relational perspective, their possible expression in the institutional contexts; -will know the main observational techniques based on psychodynamic approach in the contexts of the first and second childhood; -will know the main techniques of observation based on psychodynamic approach for the first and second childhood.

Course contents

The lessons will take place in the second semester (March-May 2020) in Bologna, in the halls of Zamboni Street, 32 and are aimed at students of the 3rd year of Laurea in Educatore nei Servizi per l'Infanzia.

1. Theoretical Background

Developmental Psychodynamics - Infant Research - Developmental psychopathology

2. Diagnostic and clinical assessment 

Classification systems – Instruments for clinical observation and assessment of adult-child interactions and relationship - Instruments for assessment of risk and protective factors for child psychological development 

3. Parenthood

Transition to parenthood - Risk and protective factors - Parental psychopathology 

4. Psychopathological classification

Regulation disorders - Affective disorders –  Sleeping disorders– Attachment disorders – Psychosomatic disorders – ADHD - Feeding disorders - Evacuation disorders

5. Prevention

Techniques of prevention for feeding disorders in preschool and school age - Techniques of prevention for evacuation disorders in childhood

6. Outdoor Education and implications for child mental health

Readings/Bibliography

For the exam, the student has to study the following 4 books: 

Ammaniti M. (2002). Manuale di psicopatologia dell'infanzia. Raffaello Cortina Editore: Milano. Study only the following Chapters: 1 pages12-17, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13.

Farnè R., Bortolotti A., Terrusi M. (2018). Outdoor Education: prospettive teoriche e buone pratiche. Carocci Editore: Roma.

TROMBINI E. (2010). IL CIBO RIFIUTATO. I DISTURBI ALIMENTARI PRECOCI E LA GIOCOTERAPIA FOCALE CON BAMBINI E GENITORI. PENDRAGON, BOLOGNA.

TROMBINI, E. (2018) Interventi precoci: la Giocoterapia Focale con bambini e genitori. In A. Imbasciati, L. Cena (a cura di), Il futuro dei primi mille giorni di vita. Psicologia Clinica Perinatale: prevenzione e interventi precoci. Franco Angeli, Milano

Teaching methods

The course will be characterised by:

1. Frontal lessons on the main theoretical topics

2. Practical activities on instruments for clinical assessment and diagnostic evaluation in childhood

3. Discussion of clinical cases

4. Seminars by invited speakers in order to deepen some topics

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral exam. The exam will be constituted by 2 different parts, on the same day: one with Professor Agostini, to verify learning on Module 1, and one with Professor Trombini, on Module 2. The student will get one final mark.

The questions will focus on the evaluation of the achievement of the following didactic goals:

1) to know the main theoretical models in Developmental Psychopathology;

2) to know the main problems related to parenting functioning;

3) to know the main psychopathological disorders in the 0-3 year period, the relational dynamics and the possible etiology;

4) to know the main observation techniques based on a psychodynamic approach in the 0-3 year period and the main clinical evaluation methods;

5) to know the Outdoor Education and its implications on child mental health.

To take the examination it is mandatory to enroll by electronic bulletin board, respecting the deadlines. For those who fail to enroll for technical problems within the due date, it is required to communicate promptly the problem (before the registration list closes officially) to the administrative office. It will be faculty of the teacher to admit the student to the test.

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, DVD, PC.

The teaching material presented during the classes will be distributed by the teacher in electronic format.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Agostini

See the website of Elena Trombini