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 (from September to December) at the Cesena Campus of the Department of Psychology 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

Part of the PowerPoint material presented in class by the instructor will be essential for the preparation and passing of the exam. Therefore, the necessary PowerPoint material will be made available by the instructor on Virtual Teaching Resources [https://virtuale.unibo.it].

Access to and use of the teaching material is reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna. No part of the PowerPoint or PDF teaching materials made available by the instructor and accessible on the Virtuale website, UNIBO [https://virtuale.unibo.it] may be reproduced for any reason and in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopies, without the written permission of the instructor. The teaching material made available online by the instructor cannot be further used or made available on sites other than Unibo without the instructor's permission. In addition to the PowerPoint material, the contents covered in class should be studied in the following book chapters. The textbooks are accessible as e-book resources in the AlmaStart application, UNIBO [https://almastart.unibo.it/primo-explore/search?vid=39UBO_VU ], reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna, upon entering UNIBO credentials, and available (if in print) at the Silvana Contento University Library, Department of Psychology, Cesena campus.

Mandatory material

 E-book:

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

https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/referencework/9780128222324/comprehensive-clinical-psychology

Chap: 2.11 (entire chapter);

Chap: 4.1 (entire chapter);

Chap: 4.3 (only 4.3.3);

Chap: 4.5 (from the beginning until paragraph 4.05.4.3.1 included)

Chap: 4.16 (from the beginning until paragraph 4.16.2.5 included) 

Chap 11.12 (entire chapter)

Paperback textbook:

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

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

Scientific articles

Reviews and research articles might be suggested to integrate the preparation for the exam. All the scientific articles if necessary for the preparation of the final exam will be uploaded by the teacher and made them available to Virtuale [https://virtuale.unibo.it].

Further Consulting texts, non mandatory material

Paperback textbook

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

Tomba E. Strumenti di valutazione dei disturbi del comportamento alimentare nel setting di cura interdisciplinare. In Ballardini D, Schumann R (ed). La riabilitazione psiconutrizionale nei disturbi del comportamento dell'alimentazione. Carrocci Faber, 2011 (Capitolo 11). ISBN-10: ‎8874666217, ISBN-13: 978-8874666218

Tomba E., Schumann R. (2020). Possibili interventi con la famiglia, in "Genitorialità e Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare” Eds Umberto Nizzoli, Daniela Beltrami. Sics Editore S.r.l., Roma. ISBN: 9788869307805. (solo capitolo indicato)

Hersen M. Psychological Assessment in Clinical Practice: A Pragmatic Guide. Taylor & Francis, 2004. ISBN: 0203336909,

Teaching methods

Lectures. During the lectures, tests will also be presented through the discussion of clinical cases and in-depth studies with professionals and experts

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 invited to contact the professor at the beginning of the course.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders can contact the professor and the University's Service for Students withDisabilities and DSA (http://www.studentidisabili.unibo.it/ ) to arrange appropriate teaching and assessment methods

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, DVD player, overhead projector, and PC will be used throughout the lessons. Paper materials of original tests will be displayed to students whenever possible during the lessons. Access to any educational material is reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna

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