12612 - Psychopathology of Development

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students: will know about the main authors and theories in developmental psychopathology; will know about the main challenges of parenthood e the most important dysfunctional types of parenting; will know about the main clinical conditions that might appear in infancy and early childhood, their relational matrix and their possible expression in learning contexts; will know about the main, psychodynamically inspired, observational techniques used to study individuals and relationships, in infancy and early childhood.

Course contents

Lectures are scheduled during the second semester (March-May 2021) in Bologna, in via Zamboni 32 and they are designed for students attending the 3rd year of the degree course for Childcare Service Educators.

1. Theoretical framework

Developmental Psychodynamics - Infant Research - Developmental Psychopathology

2. Diagnostic framework

Classification systems – Clinical observation and evaluation tools aimed at caregiver-child interactions and infant psychological development

3.Parenthood

Transition to parenthood - Risk and protective factors

4. Main psychopathological disorders in childhood

Eating disorders - Evacuation disorders

5. Prevention

Techniques for the prevention of eating disorders in pre-school and school age - Techniques for the prevention of developmental evacuation disorders

6. Outdoor Education and implications for child mental health

Readings/Bibliography

The exam will be based on the following 4 books:

Ammaniti M. (2002). Manuale di psicopatologia dell'infanzia. Raffaello Cortina Editore: Milano.

Farnè R., Bortolotti A., Terrusi M. (2018). Outdoor Education: prospettive teoriche e buone pratiche. Carocci Editore: Roma. Studiare solamente il Capitolo 4: Nature-Based Therapy: quando l'outdoor promuove la salute e il benessere individuale, pp. 81-100.

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 include::

1. frontal teaching on the main theoretical topics

2. practical exercises using clinical assessment tools and diagnostic evaluation in infancy

3. discussion of clinical cases

4. seminars delivered by experts invited to share their experience on specific themes

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed through an oral exam consisting in 3 questions, each scored from 0 to 10.
During the COVID-19 emergency, student learning will be assessed through an online oral exam, using Microsoft Teams.

Teaching tools

Projector, DVD, PC.

The teaching material shown during the lectures will be made electronically available by the lecturer.

Office hours

See the website of Leonardo Llewellyn Duncan De Pascalis

See the website of Elena Trombini