Joint_PhD_ Applied_Psychology
The PhD Programme integrates four areas of research, each one based on expertise within the universities involved in the programme.
- Mental health and psychopathology: Challenges of a global and changing society
The area of mental health and psychopathology focuses on the study of both normative and non-normative processes and trajectories related to psychological well-being and psychopathology. In this branch particular attention is given to the influence of key motivations relating to psychopathology and adaptive trajectories, and to the effectiveness of psychological interventions focused on improving mental health or reducing psychopathological symptoms. Example topics of this area are: continuous/dimensional approach to psychopathology; developmental trajectories and adaptation/psychopathology; motivational systems’ (with particular focus on attachment and exploration) development and their influence on (in)adaptive trajectories; peripheral neurophysiology responses associated to mental vulnerabilities and to psychotherapeutic intervention; psychological assessment and intervention. The research topics of this branch give special attention to problems faced by contemporary societies, such as the growing need to attend to the mental health of specific vulnerable populations (e.g. immigrants, elderly citizens, youth at risk) and the emergence of new behavioural problems. Theoretical and methodological tools related to neurosciences are also used to understand particular attitudes and behaviours and to contribute to the improvement of psychological intervention. .
- Human relationships across the lifespan: couple, family, and group
Across the lifespan there are many changes that take place within individuals, couples, social groups and across the family environment. In this branch, research is focused on processes and dynamics from a developmental perspective, addressing complexities within a range of topics such as individual change and adaptive and dysfunctional family relationships, aiming to make contributions ranging from explanations of behavioural change to the development of effective psychological interventions with couples and families. Particular emphasis is given to dynamics of human relationships that characterize current societies, such as those arising from new family configurations or new ways of work. From a methodological perspective, in this branch both qualitative and quantitative methods could be used and longitudinal studies can be developed.
- Exclusion: Social (in)justice, conflict and psychological wellbeing
In contemporary societies fast changes occur, promoting a wide range of social problems that influence developmental trajectories of various groups. In this branch, research is focused on psychological development in a range of settings of exclusion resulting from characteristics of contemporary societies (e.g., unemployment, bullying, migrations, terrorism, radicalism, prison sentence). Variables such as gender, class, ethnicity and citizenship play a fundamental role in the way they can promote or enhance conflicts and social problems or, on the other hand, can be seen as fundamental lenses of analysis to understand such problems and their impact on individuals. Example topics of this area are: psychosocial risk and protection; trajectories of socially excluded groups; social inclusion dynamics and processes; psychological assessment and intervention in forensic context; judicial decision-making processes. Particular emphasis is given to socially excluded groups, such as delinquent youths, sex offenders, ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees, among others. In this branch most of the research is based on qualitative or mixed-methods.
- Adaptive and maladaptive behaviours related to digital technologies
The Internet, the smartphone and digital technologies in general are essential to contemporary societies. Computer mediated communication and the use of these devices and their applications inevitably shape human behaviour to a yet unknown degree and direction. This branch takes into account the opportunities and challenges of the digital age and proposes to study the impact of the internet and digital technologies in adaptive and maladaptive human behaviour. Example topics of this area are: technological addictions (Internet addiction; Internet gaming disorder; addictive use of social media); the impact of computer-mediated communication in social life; social psychology of internet use and social networking; internet interventions and therapies / with digital technologies; monitoring psychotherapy with digital technologies; the human vulnerabilities to cybercrime; the demonstration of emotional responses through the computer-mediated communications (e.g., emoticons, abbreviations). Most research developed by the research groups/lines involved in this branch is quantitative.
