Monica Dondoni

Bio: Monica Dondoni is an academic researcher from University of Padua. The author has contributed to research in topics: Social constructionism & Objectivity (philosophy). The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 8 publications receiving 44 citations.

Territori in controluce. Ricerche psicologiche sul fenomeno mafioso, di Antonino Giorgi, Serena Giunta, Emanuela Coppola, Girolamo Lo Verso. Milano: Franco Angeli, 2009

Abstract: Nel volume viene approfondito in particolare lo studio di due comuni siciliani della provincia di Trapani, Marsala e Campobello di Mazara. Comuni storicamente “a forte” presenza mafiosa, in cui gli assetti comunitari e socio-economici, prima stret-tamente influenzati da Cosa Nostra, da qualche tempo hanno iniziato a cambiare. Pre-condizione di base per combattere il fenomeno mafioso e la collaborazione con il territorio e la sua tramatura antropologica, al fine di costruire un pensiero ed in-tensificare la consapevolezza dell’influenza dello psichismo mafiosi nella cultura del quotidiano. Perche ci sia cambiamento e perche questo cambiamento possa essere costruito e necessaria la reale frattura tra poteri amministrativi e Cosa Nostra. Una spaccatura che deve necessariamente separare il mondo dei colletti bianchi dalle in-filtrazioni e dai condizionamenti mafiosi per permettere ai territori siciliani un con-creto sviluppo di opportunita che solo nella legalita potranno dare i loro frutti.

Identità e normatività gruppali nella cultura siciliana e nella sub-cultura di Cosa Nostra

Abstract: Group identity and rules in sicilian culture and in Cosa Nostra sub-culture This work means to go into the question of continuity (or not) between sicilian values and mafia values. The intent to describe the historical and social development of this phenomenon has been conducted from an anthropological and sociopsychological point of view, moving from a literary review. The attention to the context of mafia development highlights tha compresence, in a cultural and settled matrix, of values practised in different ways by "common people" and "men of honour". Sicilian people, according to silence, family and religion values means to keep a social system of rules whereas "men of honour" seem to use the same values to negotiate, in order to get very different purposes. The analysis of mafia values and behaviour means to underline that mafia-man actions tent to protect and maintain the belonging social group, so as we can define it a pro-social behaviour towards the micro-group. We can find the same values and behaviour even among "common" sicilian people (that is to say: people not belonging to Cosa Nostra). This article means to evidence how, in a superficial view, values and rules clusters in above mentioned groups, seems to be uninterrupted. In fact a detailed and multidisciplinary examination allow us to understand that there are deeply different frames in meanings, values and rules found both in sicilian culture and in mafia subculture. We can think, for instance, about different meanings and symbolic values of the concepts of man of honour, family and silence in the two contexts.

La cura relazionale. Disturbo psichico e guarigione nelle terapie di gruppo. Lo Coco G., Lo Verso G., (2006). Milano: Raffaello Cortina Editore

Abstract: Il volume si propone l’obiettivo di ripercorrere i punti principali del percorso di affermazione della prospettiva psicoterapeutica, in particolar modo quella gruppoanalitica, all’interno di una realta scientifica e professionale che oggi consente un dialogo produttivo tra clinica e ricerca.

Communication Strategies in Cosa Nostra: An Empirical Research

Abstract: The following article proposes an empirical study to explore communication strategies in the Cosa Nostra. Psychological studies on the characteristics of the language within the criminal organization are undoubtedly recent, but crucial to thoroughly understand the characteristics of implicit and explicit communication it adopts in the various contexts it works, as well as the power and value they assume. The data we have obtained from some videos concerning interviews and police interrogations to men of honor have been analyzed through a method that refers to the grounds of qualitative research in clinical psychology, the Grounded Theory by Glaser and Strauss. The analysis we have carried out and its relevant data show us a world of the Mafia where the care for linguistic choices, for both form and contents, is characterized as a crucial activity, even when words are replaced by silence or gestures.

Family Alliances and Comparatico among a Group of Calabrian-Australian Families in Adelaide, South Australia

Abstract: The present study examines baptism godparenthood, the Italian spiritual kinship system (known as comparatico) among people originating from rural areas of Calabria, southern Italy, who migrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in the 1950s and 1960s. The study specifically investigates the transmission of norms and the widespread observance of duties associated with the practice of comparatico among participants. Social relations among allied families produce social capital by generating high levels of obligations and expectations. Participants have maintained and reinforced spiritual kinship with non-kin, often originating from the same Calabrian village. The study reveals how the comparatico system evolves into an extended network influencing everyday practices. Non-consanguineous informants, after becoming compari (family allies), are bound by obligations and/or privileges involving both their private and socioeconomic lives.

Clinical Efficacy and Therapeutic Alliance in a Time-Limited Group Therapy for Young Adults

Abstract: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of a time limited psychodynamic therapy for a group of young adult patients in terms of outcome and process. The results register a favourable outcome concerning not only the gravity of patients' initial symp-toms but also the structural personality changes and attachment style. In an exploratory perspective this study investigated the connection between the outcome of the tre-atment and therapeutic alliance measured by CALPAS-G in three different time intervals of therapy. A correlational analysis highlighted a strong connection between the Patient Commitment scale assessed at the beginning and the final outcome of the therapy. Work-ing Strategy Consensus and Group Understanding and Involvement assessed in the middle of the therapy course, show significant correlations with the final outcome of therapy.

Group Psychotherapy in Italy

Abstract: This article describes the history and the prevailing orientations of group psychotherapy in Italy (psychoanalytically oriented, psychodrama, CBT groups) and particularly group analysis. Provided free of charge by the Italian health system, group psychotherapy is growing, but its expansion is patchy. The main pathways of Italian training in the different group psychotherapy orientations are also presented. Clinical-theoretical elaboration on self development, psychopathology related to group experiences, and the methodological attention paid to objectives and methods in different clinical groups are issues related to group therapy in Italy. Difficulties in the relationship between research and clinical practice are discussed, as well as the empirical research network that tries to bridge the gap between research and clinical work in group psychotherapy. The economic crisis in Italy has led to massive cuts in health care and to an increasing demand for some forms of psychological treatment. For these reasons, and because of its positive cost-benefit ratio, group psychotherapy is now considered an important tool in the national health care system to expand the clinical response to different forms of psychological distress.

La ricerca in psicoterapia di gruppo: Alcuni risultati e future direzioni di ricerca

Abstract: Questo articolo prova ad esaminare alcuni risultati principali nella ricerca sulla terapia di gruppo, cosi come le direzioni future di ricerca in questo ambito. Sono stati esaminati i risultati degli studi raccolti dal gruppo di ricerca del Dipartimento di Psicologia dell’Universita di Palermo. In particolare, in questo articolo vengono esaminate le questioni teoriche e metodologiche sulla psicoterapia di gruppo, l'efficacia clinica della terapia di gruppo con diverse popolazioni cliniche (disturbi alimentari, disturbi d’ansia) e la relazione tra caratteristiche del paziente, variabili di processo (clima ed alleanza di gruppo) e l'esito della terapia. Complessivamente, da questa rassegna emerge come siano presenti alcuni studi italiani che testimoniano l'efficacia clinica della psicoterapia di gruppo, anche se sara necessaria maggiore ricerca sull’analisi dei meccanismi sottostanti di cambiamento nei gruppi, soprattutto nelle terapie a lungo termine.