Full professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology

Expert in Typical and Atypical Development; Learning Disabilities

I teach courses on Typical and Atypical Development; Learning Disabilities; Psychology of Development and Education applied to Physical Exercise.

I’m Coordinator of the 2nd level University Master's degree in Learning Disabilities, University of Palermo

My methodological interests include longitudinal and cross-sectional studies

My sustentative areas of interests include School Motivation; Intelligence and School/Academic Achievement; Motivational and cognitive factors in motor and sport activities; Sport activities and Cognitive Development in childhood and adolescence

I am Unipa Scientific Coordinator of following projects:

• “PINC Inclusive Playgrounds: Teacher Training Programme” (PINC) Erasmus+ Programme Key Action 2 – Cooperation for innovation - Strategic Partnerships for Adult Education
• “P.E.C. Poli Educanti in Condivisione” – Bando “Nuove Generazioni 2017” dell’Impresa Sociale “Con I Bambini”

Mail

marianna.alesi@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/marianna.alesi/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/marianna.alesi/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Full professor of Clinical Psychology

I am professor of Clinical Psychology at the 2nd level University Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, University of Palermo.

My research interest focuses on the psychological factors involved in addictive behaviors, with special attention to gaming and social media. Further research interests include the study of the process and outcomes of group psychotherapies and psychopathology related to adolescents and young adults.

I am the coordinator of the Commissione Paritetica Docenti Studenti of the Department of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Human Movement, University of Palermo, member of the National Board of the Clinical Dynamic Section of the Associazione Italiana Psicologi (AIP), and member the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR).

My clinical activity focuses on individual and group psychotherapy.

Mail: maria.diblasi@unipa.it

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/maria.diblasi

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/maria.diblasi/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/maria.diblasi/?pagina=pubblicazioni

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/maria.diblasi/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Full Professor of Dynamic Psychology at the Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, University of Palermo.

I teach courses on Psychodynamic Developmental Models, Psychodynamics of Setting, Laboratory on the development of the psychologist’s relational skills.

My research interest, with a specific focus on Groups, mainly concerns some fundamental themes of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology: Empirical Research on Psychotherapy and Clinical Work, Identity Development Processes in a Psychodynamic Relational Perspective, Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Maltreatment and Psychopathological Outcomes, Theoretical and Methodological Issues of Clinical Set(ting).

I’m Coordinator of the Council of Psychology Courses at University of Palermo: "Psychological Sciences and Techniques" (Bachelor’s Degree - L24), "Clinical Psychology", "Life Span Psychology" and "Social, Work and Organizational Psychology " (Master’s degrees - LM 51); Member of the National Board of the Dynamic Psychology College (SSD M-PSI/07); Member of the National Conference of Academic Psychology (CPA); Member of the Society for Psychotherapy Research.

e-mail

francesca.giannone@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/g/francesca.giannone/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/g/francesca.giannone/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Psychometrics

Expert in research methods in psychology and social sciences

I teach courses on research methodology and data analysis

My methodological interests include structural equation modelling, measurement invariance, longitudinal research, and evaluation of intervention programs

My sustentative areas of interests include parent-child relations and the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents and emerging adults, social, democratic and intercultural competence in childhood and adolescence

I have been the Coordinator of the Erasmus+ project “Children’s Voices for a new Human Space” (https://www.cvs-project.eu/), the responsible person for impact evaluation of the project “DAPPERTUTTO: Territori e comunità per inventare il futuro” (https://danilodolci.org/dappertutto/)

Mail

sonia.ingoglia@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/i/sonia.ingoglia/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/i/sonia.ingoglia/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of General Psychology

I teach courses on Personality Psychology for the 1^st degree in Psychology and on General Psychology for the 1^st degree in Science of Motor and Sport Activity at the University of Palermo. I am the Departmental reference for the ANVUR project TECO.

My methodological interests include quantitative research designs, experimental design, and moderation/mediation models.

My sustentative areas of interests are human factors & ergonomics of social media systems (e.g., Facebook), personality assessment, social media addiction, and web-psychology (with a focus on social network analysis), web-psychology (with a focus on social network analysis) and human-robot-interaction.

I am the local coordinator for the Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 1 – Mobility for learners and staff – Higher Education Student and Staff Mobility - Inter-institutional agreement 2018-2020/2021, between University of Palermo (Italy) and Universitè de Rouen (Francia).

I am member of the i-Solouk Group, an international research group coordinated by Professor Raian Ali and Dr. Dena Al-Thani situated in the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar) aimed at studying the use of technology in interpreting and modifying humans’ attitude and behavior.

Mail

barbara.caci@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/c/barbara.caci/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/c/barbara.caci/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology

Expert in emotional intelligence

I teach courses on Psychology and Primary Education Sciences of the University of Palermo on the themes of General Psychology and Developmental and Educational Psychology. I also held various lectures in other Italian and foreign universities, and has been lecturer in schools of specialization for teaching, masters and postgraduate courses

My sustentative areas of interests include emotional intelligence, learning disabilities and new technologies for learning. I also realized different psychometric tools and training programs for the assessment and the improvement of reading, writing, and mathematical skills and for empowering memory and emotional intelligence.

I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, carrying out diagnostic activity in neurodevelopmental disorders. I am co-founder and Scientific Director of the International Center Meta INTELLIGENZE ONLUS, a psychological and educational association aimed at promoting learning and emotional intelligence in children, adolescents, and adults

I am member of the following national and international scientific association involved in dissemination and application of research outcomes: Italian Association for Research and Intervention on Psychopathology of Learning (AIRIPA); Italian Association for Dyslexia (AID); International Society for Emotional Intelligence; European Association of Cultural and Emotionally Intelligent Projects; European Network for Social and Emotional Competence

Mail

antonella.damico@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/antonella.damico/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/antonella.damico/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Work and Organizational Psychology

HR development consultant, Expert in Training and in I&O Psychology

I teach courses on Work and Organizational Psychology for the 1^st degree in Psychology, and on Psychology of training for the 2^nd degree in Social and Organizational Psychology of the University of Palermo. I also held lectures in schools of specialization for psychotherapy and counselling, masters, and postgraduate courses on HR development.

My sustentative areas of interests include attachment bonds in -and with- the workplace; experiential training groups; reflective function in the workplace; organizational well-being.

I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, carrying out activity on personnel recruitment and selection, soft skills training, work-related stress appraisal.

I am member of the following national and international scientific association: Associazione Italiana di Psicologia (AIP; Italian Association of Psychology); International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP).

Email:

giovanni.distefano@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/giovanni.distefano/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/d/giovanni.distefano/?pagina=pubblicazioni

I teach courses on Dynamic Psychology and Developmental psychopathology.

My research activities fall within the scope of Clinical and Dynamic Psychology applied to healthcare and community contexts, with particular reference to the topics of detection and management of the aspects of psychodynamic well-being psychology in individual and group contexts.

My sustentative areas of interests include: evaluation of the psychodynamic correlates of chronic diseases and metabolic diseases; the effects of chronic disease on the quality of life of patients and caregivers; study of the relationship between affective regulation and health: prevention of mental illness and promotion of well-being.

I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, carrying out psychotherapy and group psychotherapy.

mail: mariastella.epifanio@unipa.it 

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/e/mariastella.epifanio/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/e/mariastella.epifanio/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Dynamic Psychology

Expert in Clinical psychology

I teach courses on psychological interview and Group dynamic. My sustentative areas of interests include maltreatment, attachment theory, personality disorders. I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement.

I am member of the following national and international scientific association: Associazione italiana di psicologia (AIP); Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR).

Mail

giorgio.falgares@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/f/giorgio.falgares/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/f/giorgio.falgares/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology

Expert in Project design

I teach courses on Developmental and educational psychology, Project design, and Methods and Techniques of intervention in multicultural contexts. I am the reference person for the Master degree in Psychology of life cycle.

My methodological interests include: quali-quantitative research methods, evaluation of intervention programs and projects.

My sustentative areas of interests include: the study of risk and resilience factors (individual and familiar) in adolescence and emerging adulthood; the relations between ethnic belonging, psychological well-being and quality of intergroup relations during the development; intercultural and citizenship education.

I have been the Italian coordinator of the activities of Mutual Intercultural Relations In Plural Societies (MIRIPS) project (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/cacr/research/mirips), the responsible person for monitoring and evaluation of the project “DAPPERTUTTO: Territori e comunità per inventare il futuro” (https://danilodolci.org/dappertutto/), the scientific responsible of the research in the project Edu-Action 2.0 (https://peresempionlus.org/progetti/edu-action-2-0/). I am the responsible person for impact evaluation of the projects C.A.S.A. a Ballarò. Comunità Attiva e Scuola Aperta a Ballarò (https://percorsiconibambini.it/casaaballaro/) and PASSepartout. Azioni-chiave di prevenzione e contrasto della dispersione scolastica (https://percorsiconibambini.it/passepartout/scheda-progetto/).

Mail

cristiano.inguglia@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/i/cristiano.inguglia/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/i/cristiano.inguglia/?pagina=pubblicazioni

I teach courses on Developmental Psychopathology, Class group psychodynamics and health and wellness promotion at school and models, tools and contexts of psychodynamic diagnosis.

My sustentive areas of interests include psychodynamic assessment, especially projective techniques, psychodinamic and psychopathology of defense mechanisms, emotional awareness and grooup- class climate as facilitator factors for learning and Bullying and violent conducts.

I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, carrying out diagnostic activity in personality assessment.

sabina.lagrutta@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/l/sabina.lagrutta/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/l/sabina.lagrutta/?pagina=curriculum

Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Physiological psychology

Expert in Neuropsychology

I teach courses on Physiological psychology, Neuropsychology, Affective and social neuroscience.

My sustentative areas of interest include: Cognitive and affective neuroscience; Neuropsychology in patients with acquired and neurodevelopmental disorders; Non-invasive neuromodulation.

Mail renata.mangano@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/renata.mangano/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/renata.mangano/?pagina=pubblicazioni

 Associate professor of Dynamic Psychology

I teach courses on Psychological Assessment Tools and Theory and Techniques of Tests.

My sustentative areas of interests include childhood maltreatment, risk and protective factors in the development of adolescent personality disorders, parent-adolescent relationships, attachment styles and psychosocial adjustment of adolescents and young adulthood. My methodological interests include quali-quantitative research methods.

I collaborate with the Psychology Service of the Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, carrying out diagnostic activity in personality assessment.

I have been for many years the coordinator of the 2^nd level University Master’s degree in Psychological Assessment, University of Palermo.

giovanna.manna@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/giovanna.manna/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/giovanna.manna/?pagina=pubblicazioni

I teach courses on Principles and History of Psychology, Personality Psychology, and decision-making at the University of Palermo.

My main research areas are cognitive processes and decision-making, with particular emphasis on personality, cognitive empowerment, cognitive functions, and psychological well-being.

I am the coordinator of the activities foreseen by the Work Package "Developing policy recommendations" in the Horizon project entitled: "Mental Health: a focus on retention of healthcare workers."

I am a member of the research team of the EUROSTART project entitled: Autonomous and proactive assisting system for hearth failure (Aristotle), aimed at developing Intelligent and adaptive support for health professionals. MUR FONDI PNR D.M. 737/2021.

I am part of the research team working on the project: "Multidisciplinary analysis of the biological, immunological and psychosocial determinants of infections by respiratory pathogens: a multicentric study in health workers for risk management, including emergency, and for identification from a gender perspective of WHP and patient safety pathways." Project funded by INAIL.

Mail

silvana.miceli56@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/silvana.miceli56/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/silvana.miceli56/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor of Developmental and Educational Psychology

Expert in Pediatric psychology

I teach courses on Developmental and Educational Psychology, and on Pediatric Psychology

I am the coordinator of the 2nd level Master’s Degree in Pediatric Psychology – University of Palermo (https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/sc.psicol.pedag.edellaformazione/master/psicologiapediatrica/)

My methodological interests include: validation of evolutionary assessment tools, and observational research

My sustentative areas of interests include: pediatric psychology and maternal child health, child neglect, fragilities of attention and self-regulation of preschool children, rare diseases, high risk pregnancies, preterm birth and parenting; early parent-infant interactions

I am scientific responsible for monitoring process and impact evaluation of the project “La Cittadella dell’infanzia” (https://percorsiconibambini.it/lacittadelladellinfanzia/) Bando Prima Infanzia (0-6 anni) - Con i Bambini Impresa Sociale; and I am responsible person for our Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, of the PSN (National Health Plan) project “Models for integrated management of chronics/fragilities conditions in maternal-child contexts”, through the partnership with “Villa Sofia-Cervello” Hospital

Mail

concetta.polizzi@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/p/concetta.polizzi/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/p/concetta.polizzi/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology. 

I teach courses on Neuropsychological disorders rehabilitation, Clinical cases discussions, Neuropsychological assessment for the Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and General Psychology for the degree in historical and philosophical studies of University of Palermo. 

My research interests are mainly focused on the study of memory processes in healthy subjects and amnesic patients. I also built and standardized some Italian neuropsychological tools for the evaluation of recognition memory (Recognition Memory Test).  

My methodological interests are focused on the study of cognitive functions and their neural correlations in healthy subjects and in patients with cerebral lesions using neuromodulation techniques.  

e-mail: daniela.smirni@unipa.it 

website: https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/daniela.smirni/ 

Curriculum vitae: https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/daniela.smirni/?pagina=curriculum 

List of courses: https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/daniela.smirni/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications: https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/daniela.smirni/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate professor in Psychobiology and physiological psychology.

I teach courses on Neuroimaging and neuromodulation for the Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. 

My research interests are mainly focused on investigating cognitive control processes in healthy as well as pathological development and aging. 

My methodological interests are focused on the combination of multiple neuroimaging or neuromodulation techniques. 

Mail

vincenza.tarantino03@unipa.it

List of courses https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/t/vincenza.tarantino03/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/t/vincenza.tarantino03/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology.

I teach courses on Clinical Neuropsychology, Developmental Neuropsychology.

I’m the Coordinator of the 2nd level University master’s degree “NECTAR. Innovative Techniques and Technologies in Neuropsychology and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, University of Palermo.

 My methodological interests range from clinical and experimental neuropsychological methods of analyses on behavioural patterns in brain-damaged patients to neuroimaging methods that allow a more precise structural definition of the lesions involved and the functional activation of the brain regions engaged in task performance. In addition, applications of neuroelectrical, neuromagnetic and neuromodulation techniques with neuropsychological patients are used.

My research interests focus on understanding the neurobiological basis of cognitive, emotionaland social processesin the context of neurological and psychiatric disorders. I have special clinical interests in neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD), neurodegenerative diseases and sensory disorders.

I am particularly interested in neurodiversity.

Mail

patrizia.turriziani@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/t/patrizia.turriziani/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/t/patrizia.turriziani/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Assistant  professor - RtdA at University of Palermo

I teach at UNIPA and at the NECTAR Master; my courses are based on new evidence based brief treatment directed to clinical populations. From next year I will teach lectures on psychopathology.

In 2014 I attended a semester in France at the University Lumierè Lyon 2, (France) and after my graduation I went for an international placement of 1 year to King’s College London in order to improve my research skills and knowledge about eating disorder psychopathology and new techniques. In 2016 I obtained a position as Research Assistant of a clinical trial focused on outpatients with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa. I spent 5 years in London andin 2017 I was awarded with a 3 years PhD scholarship funded by Palermo University. During my PhD program I went to Ottawa to improve my knowledge related to Binge Eating Disorder treatments and processes measures. I got my European PhD in 2021. Currently I am covering a position as RTD-A.

My scientific interests are:novel evidence-based treatment in eating disorders, management of large RCTs, development of integrative models aimed to improve illness maintaining symptoms in eating disorders, evaluation of emotional, cognitive, interpersonal, motivational and nutritional aspects related to eating disorders.

Mail

gaia.albano@unipa.it

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/a/gaia.albano

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/a/gaia.albano/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/a/gaia.albano/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Iam affiliated to the Department of Psychology, Educational Science, and Human Movement at University of Palermo as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Dynamic Psychology and I am a Psychotherapist with group-dynamic approach.

I have extensive training on childhood adversities assessment, acquired thought research experience at Lifespan Research Group, Center for Abuse and Trauma Studies, Kingston University (London) with Prof. A. Bifulco (CECA interview’s author) and specific training sections; I am certified as a training teacher in Italy for the CECA interview. Further, I have achieved a Second Level Biennial Master Degree in Psychodiagnostics in Clinical and Judicial Civil and Criminal context.

My research is focused on environmental risk-and-protective factors of psychopathological outcomes in clinical and general populations, deepened during my doctoral and postdoctoral experiences at University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Currently, I am responsible for an ongoing study on psychosocial risk factors and psychopathological outcomes during perinatal period, in partnership with Gynecology and Obstetrics’ Unit of the Civic Hospital Palermo.

Assistant professor of General Psychology    

I teach courses on Principles and History of Psychology for the 1^st degree in Psychology and on General Psychology for the 1^st degree in Science of Motor and Sport Activity at the University of Palermo.

My methodological interests include quantitative and mixed methods research, experimental and behavioral methodologies, cluster analysis, multivariate analysis, and structural equation modeling.

My main research interests lie in the area of cognitive processes, decision-making, and communication with a specific focus on shared decision-making, doctor-patient communication, preventive and screening behaviors

Mail

dario.monzani@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/dario.monzani/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/m/dario.monzani/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Assistant professor - RtdB at University of Palermo

I teach courses on clinical psychology and clinical health psychology at the University of Palermo.

My methodological interests include quantitative approaches, structural equation modelling and dyadic analyses.

My sustentative areas of interests are in the field of clinical and health psychology, and include Eating Disorders and obesity, social media and smartphone use, psychological characteristics of people facing the infertility condition, and psychological assessment.

Mail

laura.salerno@unipa.it

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/laura.salerno

List of course

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/laura.salerno/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/s/laura.salerno/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Assistant Professor of Psychometrics.

I teach Theory and Techniques of Tests. 

My main research interests lie in the area of personality assessment and psychological testing, with a focus on construction, validation, and adaptation of psychological measurement tools. Further research topics concern psychological and socio-cultural adjustment during intercultural contact and quality of intergroup relations, acculturation of international students, university adjustment, new addictions.   

My methodological interests include factor analysis, exploratory structural equation modeling, as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. 

List of course

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/v/giusydanila.valenti/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/v/giusydanila.valenti/?pagina=pubblicazioni

Fellow researcher, PhD

My research interests concern the development of cognitive functioning through physical exercise and the sociocognitive development of children. I also work in several EU projects, such as PINC – Inclusive Playground (KA220), XR_Skill (KA220VET) and ClassTHIFA (KA220HED). I also took part to the scientific research of ESA Program (Erasmus + Sport).

My methodological specialization concerns: the research methodology in general, meta-analysis, and also observational methods such as survival analysis.

Mail

ambra.gentile01@unipa.it

List of courses

https://www.unipa.it/persone/docenti/g/ambra.gentile01/?pagina=insegnamenti

List of publications

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202396310

 Ph.D student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences

My research includes two parts.

In Part One, my work will concentrate on developing and testing a new intervention for psychological support of healthcare professionals. The scenario considered refers to the frontline commitment and the emergency management during the pandemic SARS-COVID-19, when healthcare workers undergo emotional overload and are likely to develop depression or burn-out.

Part Two will present the evolution of rehabilitation of neuro-developmental child disorders across various contexts. The aid of social robots, implemented both at hospital and home, will be analysed and the impact of new technologies on the improvement of individual’s cognitive skills will be evaluated. The final outcome will be a model based on the unique characteristics of child and parents.

Mail

mariavalentina.cavarretta@unipa.it

Ph.D student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences

I am currently working on a research project that aims at examining the role of emotional and metaemotional intelligence as teachers’ personal resource for preventing burnout and promoting psychological and physical health and professional self-efficacy. Moreover, it aims at validating a vocational training method for developing emotional and meta-emotional abilities suited for teachers.

My general research interests focus on emotions and emotional intelligence, psychological well-being and health both in school and occupational contexts.

List of publications

D’Amico, A. & Geraci, A. (2021). The Role of Emotional and Meta-Emotional Intelligence in Pre-Adolescents’ Well-Being and Sociometric Status. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:749700. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.749700 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.749700

Geraci, A., D’Amico, A., Pipitone, A., Seidita, V., & Chella, A. (2021). Automation Inner Speech as an Anthropomorphic Feature Affecting Human Trust: Current Issues and Future Directions. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 8:620026. DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.620026 https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2021.620026

Pipitone, A., Geraci, A., D’Amico, A., Seidita, V., & Chella, A. (2021). Robot's Inner Speech Effects on Trust and Anthropomorphic Cues in Human-Robot Cooperation. Proceeding of 30th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication. https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.09388

D’Amico, A., Geraci, A., & Tarantino, C. (2020). The Relationship between Perceived Emotional Intelligence, Work Engagement, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout in Italian School Teachers: An Exploratory Study. Psihologijske teme, 29(1), 63-84. DOI: 10.31820/pt.29.1.4 https://doi.org/10.31820/pt.29.1.4

Domínguez España, A. B., Papotti, I., Fernández-Berrocal, P., Gómez Leal, R., Gutiérrez Cobo, M. J., Cabello González, R., Megías Robles, A., Faria, L., Costa, A., Mountinho, H., Enea, M., Meli, E., D’Amico, A., & Geraci, A. (2020). INEMOTION. Inteligencia emocional, herramienta educativa para el desarrollo de competencias claves. Málaga, ES: UMA Editorial. ISBN: 978-84-1335-021-9 https://hdl.handle.net/10630/19636

Mail

alessandro.geraci@unipa.it

Ph.D. student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences

Expert on executive functions and learning disabilities

My research project aims at examining the effects of structured motor activity intervention on executive functions, in particular working memory and inhibition, in kindergarteners sample. It has been documented executive functions represent a crucial and strong indicator of early academic success, for this reason children involved in the project will be retested during the first year of primary school to reach the expected improvement in academic achievement, in term of literacy and numeracy skills.

My scientific interests are:

• effects of motor abilities and motor activities on executive functions in children and adolescents
• cognitive and emotional-motivational profiles in children and adolescents with Learning Disabilities
• developmental and cognitive aspects in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

List of publications

Giordano, G., Gómez-López, M., & Alesi, M. (2021). Sports, Executive Functions and Academic Performance: A Comparison between Martial Arts, Team Sports, and Sedentary Children. Int. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 11745. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/22/11745/htm

Alesi, M., Giordano, G., Giaccone, M., Basile, M., Costa, S., & Bianco, A. (2020). Effects of the enriched sports activities-program on executive functions in Italian children. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 5, 1-13. https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/5/2/26/htm

Pajaujiene S., Giordano G., Tabacchi, G., & Alesi M. (2019). Findings and resources of ESA units. In ESA ebook

http://www.esaprogram.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ESA_Program_book.pdf

Mail

giulia.giordano@unipa.it

My fields of research are: psychological trauma, childhood maltreatment, attachment styles, parental competences and observation of family relationships. My methodological interests includes qualitative and quantitative methods and tools.

I have been a Ph.D. student in Public Relations at the Department of Psychology (University of Palermo). My research project concerned: "Network analysis of services against violence towards children: models and strategies of interinstitutional intervention". I have been a post-doctoral researcher within the project: “Psychological processes of traumatic experience in childhood and adolescence: validity and specificity of tools in the diagnostic assessment”.

I have taught courses on Theory and Techniques of Tests, Techniques of Personality Tests, Techniques of Personality Assessment, Techniques of Interview and questionnaire, Psychodiagnostics. I have taught in 2nd level University Master’s degree in “Developmental Learning Disorders and/or Disabilities” and in “Psychological Assessment” (University of Palermo).

I am currently a psychologist manager at the Department of Family Health of the Provincial Health Service of Palermo (Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale, ASP) within the project: “Psychological support to minors in foster care and to foster families”.

List of publications

Como M.R. (2020), La Consulenza Tecnica d’Ufficio Sistemica: un percorso di costruzione dialogica di significati, Focus Monotematico Territori Sistemici: La violenza di genere. Le esperienze degli allievi, degli ex-allievi e degli allievi didatti delle sedi della Scuola sulla violenza presentate al Congresso Nazionale delle Scuole del CMTF, Connessioni, 8, Dicembre 2020, ISSN 2611-4003.

Manna G., Falgares G., Ingoglia S., Como M.R., De Santis S., (2016), The relationship between self-esteem, depression and anxiety: comparing vulnerability and scar model in the italian context, Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology MJCP, 4 (3).

Como M.R., Trobia A., Manna G. (2014), Prevention of violence against children and psychosocial models of intervention: network analysis of an inter-institutional service, Children and Youth Services Review, 47, 416-427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.11.001

Manna G., Faraci P., Como M.R. (2013), Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Sensation Seeking Scale – Form V (SSS-V) in a Sample of Italian Adolescents, Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 276-288.  https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v9i2.500

Como M.R., Manna G. (2012), Prevenzione della violenza sui minori e strategie di azione interistituzionale: un modello di intervento psicosociale. In: Inguglia C., La progettazione di interventi psicosociali. Linee guida ed esempi applicativi, 122-132, Carocci, Roma.

Manna G., Como M.R. (2010), Le tecniche grafiche come strumento di valutazione del trauma infantile, Franco Angeli, Milano.

Como M.R., Manna G., Faraci P. (2010), Il ruolo dello stile di attaccamento materno sull’autostima in età adolescenziale, Ricerche di Psicologia, 4, 575-590. https://hdl.handle.net/10447/62544

Manna G., Scimeca G., Como M.R. (2008) Gli effetti dell’abuso sui processi di funzionamento del pensiero. Uno studio con il metodo Rorschach, Psicologia Clinica dello Sviluppo, XII, (1), 69-87.

Como M.R., Manna G. (2006) Le tecniche grafiche. In: Manna G., Introduzione alle tecniche per la valutazione della personalità, 104-128, Franco Angeli, Milano.

Manna G., Como M.R. (2006) I test di livello: la WAIS-R. In: Manna G., Introduzione alle tecniche per la valutazione della personalità, 129-157, Franco Angeli, Milano.

Psychologist and research assistant collaborating with the Dynamic Psychology Chair. I am currently training as a psychotherapist in Systemic and Family Therapy. 

My main areas of interest and research include childhood maltreatment, attachment styles, risk and protective factors in the development of psychopathology and personality disorders, eating disorders, emotion regulation processes, suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, and family and intimate relationships. 

I am an affiliate member of the Clinical and Dynamic section of the Associazione Italiana di Psicologia (AIP).

List of publications:

Infurna, M. R., Bevacqua, E., Costanzo, G., Falgares, G., & Giannone, F. (2023). Psychosocial risk factors and psychopathological outcomes: Preliminary findings in Italian pregnant women. Women, 3(1), 121-131. DOI: 10.3390/women/3010010

Falgares, G., Costanzo, G., Manna, G., Giannone, F., Mento, C., Formica, I., Infurna, M. R., & Cassibba, R. (2022). Examining the mediating role of attachment style in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder in adolescent outpatients. In: Atti del XXX Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Padova, 27-30 settembre. A cura di F. Gambarota et al., Book of Abstract. 30° Congresso dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia. Padova: Padova University Press. ISBN 978-88-6938-316-8

Falgares, G., Marchetti, D., Costanzo, G., Manna, G., Verrocchio, M. C., & Ingoglia, S. (2022). Orthorexia Nervosa vs Healthy Orthorexia: Preliminary results of the Italian validation of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS). In: Atti del XXX Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Padova, 27-30 settembre. A cura di F. Gambarota et al., Book of Abstract. 30° Congresso dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia. Padova: Padova University Press. ISBN 978-88-6938-316-8

Costanzo, G., Marchetti, D., Manna, G., Verrocchio, M. C., & Falgares, G. (2022). The role of eating disorders features, psychopathology, and defense mechanisms in the comprehension of orthorexic tendencies. Eating and Weight Disorders. DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01417-3

Manna, G., Costanzo, G., De Santis, S., & Falgares, G. (2022). The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mother’s attachment style and offspring’s depression. Current Psychology. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02529-2

Costanzo, G., Marchetti, D., Manna, G., & Falgares, G. (2021). Orthorexic tendencies and healthy eating in university students: Which association with eating disorders, psychopathology, and defense mechanisms? In: Atti del XXII Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Sezione Clinica e Dinamica, Lecce, 17-19 settembre. A cura di C. Venuleo et al., Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 9, No. 2 Suppl., 2021, pp. 43-44. DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3224

Manna, G., Falgares, G., Costanzo, G., La Sala, M. C., Lamis, D. A., & Musso, P. (2021). Cumulative childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury: The mediating and moderating role of perceived social support in a sample of university students. Journal of Family Violence, 1-13. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-021-00312-2

Falgares, G., Manna, G., Costanzo, G., De Santis, S., Kopala-Sibley, D. C., & Ingoglia, S. (2021). The predictive role of ideological, personality and psychopathological factors in homonegative attitudes in Italy. Sexuality & Culture, 26, 339-353. DOI: 10.1007/s12119-021-09894-x

Marchetti, D., Manna, G., Costanzo, G., Falgares, G. (2019). The role of self-criticism and dependency in the association between childhood maltreatment, self-harming behaviors and suicide risk. In: Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Sezione Clinica e Dinamica, Milano, 27-29 settembre. A cura di M. Bottini et al., Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 7, No. 2 Suppl., 2019, pp. 73-74. DOI: 10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2267