Assignment: Marta Ghisi, Claudio Gentili e Caterina Novara

Referee for teaching and research activity: Marta Ghisi

Technical referees: Paolo Manfredi, Stefano Massaccesi

In charge of safety procedures: Marta Ghisi

Geotec: 1200-01 032

Description
The research groups are interested in investigating the cognitive, behavioural, emotional and psychophysiological mechanisms underlining obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (e.g., Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Trichotillomania, Body Dismorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder), anxiety disorders (e.g., Social Anxiety Disorder), mood disorders, personality disorders, orthorexia nervosa, and eating disorders in multiple contexts and populations (e.g., general population, sport context, people with chronic illnesses). Studies on underlying mechanisms mainly investigate phenomena such as Intolerance of Uncertainty, Not Just Right Experiences, Emotional Regulation, and Body Dissatisfaction. Research in this field is carried on by means of several tools, i.e., self-report measures, semi-structured interviews, experimental inductions, as well as Virtual Reality (VR), together with psychophysiology to explore possible objective markers of psychopathology. The VR used in the lab is composed by a helmet with googles and embedded eye-tracking and a navigation joypad. Psychophysiological measurements in the lab are obtained by wearable systems for heart rate variability and electrodermal response. The final goal of our research groups is developing, implementing, and testing innovative and evidence-based psychological interventions, i.e. physical activity and exercise, nature exposure, writing exercises, innovative VR or Electronic application (app)- based approaches to treatment. Usually, in the first phases our studies, non-clinical individuals (e.g., general population, athletes) are involved. Indeed, one of the main objectives of our research is studying the vulnerability/risk factors for the development of psychopathologies and testing new models on non-clinical populations to provide evidence on a dimensional perspective. In the more advanced phases of our studies, research is carried out on clinical samples in order to expand the knowledge already gained on non-clinical individuals. The research activity focusing on clinical individuals is usually carried out in the University psychological services or in collaboration with private and public clinics.