Gaia Teresi
Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 15, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
e-Mail: gaia.teresi@unipa.it
Education
Laurea Magistrale in Psicologia Clinico-dinamica (LM-51), conseguita presso l’Università degli Studi di Padova – 2020.
Master’s Degree in Clinical and Dynamic Psychology (LM-51), University of Padua- 2020.
Current Positions
PhD Student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences
PhD project title and a short abstract
PhD project title
“Well-being at Unipa: una ricerca- intervento longitudinale per la promozione del benessere universitario”
“Well-being at Unipa: longitudinal research-intervention for university well-being promotion”
Abstract
Introduction: Universities’ mental health and psychophysical well-being are central issues in public health. Literature shows that university students’ well-being is lower compared to the general population’s well-being of equivalent age groups. The prevalence of depression, anxiety disorders and suicide risk is higher among university students. Otherwise, well-being is associated with better academic outcomes and lower drop-out rates. Within the university population, students with disabilities and/or special educational needs (SEN) deserve particular attention. University plays an important link role in ensuring adequate continuity between the students and the institution. In this scenario, this study aims to implement and verify the effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions to support university students’ well-being, to prevent dropouts and delays in university careers. Moreover, it aims to early intercept conditions of psychological vulnerability, SEN and difficulties in the relationship with the university institution by creating a tailored tool (self-report questionnaire) to measure the students’ well-being levels at the time of university enrolment.
Method: This research project is thought to be a three-year longitudinal study conducted at the GLAD service (Gruppo di Lavoro Abilità Diverse), at SPPEFF department of the University of Palermo. The hypothesis is that emotional difficulties and psychological distress are related to lower well-being rates and that there is a negative correlation between disability and or SEN and university well-being. First, a self-report questionnaire and specific measures able to intercept the risk factors will be administered to the total sample, secondly the experimental group will receive two different interventions (psychological support groups and focus group).There will be a control group consisting of students on a waiting list. A re-test phase is planned to evaluate the efficacy of interventions.
Expected results: This research project is expected to underline a negative correlation between variables identified as risk factors and university well-being. Moreover, comparisons pre-post intervention and with the control group are expected to report an improvement in well-being levels. Furthermore, is expected to implement and validate a tool (ad hoc questionnaire) able to early identify vulnerability conditions to act on them as soon as possible. Is also expected that early intervention, balanced on the needs that emerged during the screening phase, will be able to lead to higher levels of well-being, to prevent drop-outs, delays in university careers and suicide risk. Finally, the aim is to develop an intervention method able to significantly increase university well-being and promote a caring and inclusive university culture.
Supervisor: Prof.ssa Sabina La Grutta
Main research areas of interest
Innovative educational technologies; Inclusive and special education; Neurodiversity-affirming approaches to interventions and research
Researcher ID