Noemi Venturella

Bio: Noemi Venturella is an academic researcher from University of Palermo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Group analysis & Health care. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 36 citations.

The Acrobatics of Dying: A Psychodynamic Framework for Palliative Care

Abstract: This article aims at summing up the reflections of a small group of psychologists who work in the domain of palliative treatment. The theory and methodology supporting it are borrowed by a group analysis approach; the group's purpose is a research based on the workers' experience elaboration, which aims at finding out both the specificities of the work apparatus with the people accompanied to the conclusion of their lives, and the main thematic areas of the relationship between healthcare team, patients, and families. The work we present aims at introducing the most meaningful themes that emerged during group meetings: first of all, some service criticalities examined in the area of terminal healthcare and the workers' possible saturation and psycho-social discomfort quotas, generating in some cases a common sense of professional precariousness.

"Would you offer me a coffee?": A qualitative research on 'street collusion' in Palermo

Abstract: This study is a pilotstudy on collusion in the lands of mafia. The study was carried out in Palermo and focuses on illegal parking attendants, figures now entangled in the geo-political landscape of the city whose traces can be found in the streets, in the media events as well as in the judicial reporting of the Sicilian capital. The research questions are: who are these social subjects? What are the reasons for their hypertrophic presence in the city? Data were collected through 21 ad hoc interviews; the results show how the problem is complex and, as stated by the mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando, "concerns both valets and those who park”, in a dense web of conscious and unconscious collusion between "demand" and "supply" of an abusive, unlawful and irregular service, which produces a phenomenon of "lawlessness hidden in the sunlight" linked to the "mafia feeling".

L'acrobatica del morire

Abstract: The Acrobatics of Dying This article aims at summing up the reflections of a small group of psychologists who work in the domain of palliative treatment. The theory and methodology supporting it are borrowed by a group analysis approach; purpose of the group is a research based on the workers’ experience elaboration, which aims at finding out both the specificities of the work apparatus with the people accompanied to the conclusion of their lives, and the main thematic areas of the relationship between health care team, patients and families. The work we present aims at introducing the most meaningful themes emerged during group meetings: first of all some service criticalities examined in the area of terminal health care and the workers’ possible saturation and psycho-social discomfort quotas, generating in some cases a common sense of professional precariousness.

Death and dying

Abstract: Death is the new sex, last great taboo in Western society and Western medicine, as Richard Smith discusses in his editorial (p 129). In the trinity of births, marriages, and deaths, only death does not have glossy magazines devoted to stylish consumption at the attendant ceremonies. On the web, of course, …

Understanding the role of regulatory flexibility and context sensitivity in preventing burnout in a palliative home care team.

Abstract: Although burnout syndrome has been investigated in depth, studies specifically focused on palliative home care are still limited. Moreover, there is still a lack of evidence regarding the interplay between emotional flexibility and sensitivity to context in preventing burnout in home care settings. For these reasons, the aims of this study were to examine burnout symptoms among practitioners specializing in palliative home care and to investigate the role of regulatory flexibility and sensitivity to context in understanding burnout. An exploratory cross-sectional design was adopted. A convenience sample (n = 65) of Italian specialist palliative care practitioners participated in this study. Participants were recruited between February and April 2019 from two palliative home care services that predominantly cared for end-of-life cancer patients. The Italian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression (FREE) scale (a measure of emotional flexibility), and the Context Sensitivity Index (CSI) (a measure of sensitivity to context) were administered. Analyses of variance were conducted using the three MBI factors as dependent variables and profession as an independent variable. Subsequently, three identical analyses of covariance were conducted with age, work experience, flexibility and sensitivity to context as covariates. The results showed a low burnout risk for all three of the MBI factors, and there were no gender differences. An ANOVA revealed a significant effect of profession type and age on the emotional exhaustion factor of the MBI, and an ANCOVA indicated that these effects persisted after covariates were accounted for. The results also showed a significant effect of the FREE score on emotional exhaustion. These findings can help explain the differential contributions of profession type and age to the burnout symptoms investigated. In addition, the emotional flexibility component, as an aspect of resilience, represents a significant and specific factor of emotional exhaustion. Interventions to prevent burnout must consider these relationships.

[The origin of depression in Alzheimer disease: a systematic review].

Abstract: Aim Depression was associated to Alzheimer's disease (AD), even if its role as predictive symptom, risk factor or reactive factor remains unclear. The aim of this review was to investigate the relation between depression and AD. More specifically, we aimed to examine if depression may be a prodrome of AD or an early reaction to cognitive decline. Methods A systematic review based on the electronic bibliographic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Web of Knowledge) was carried out on the scientific literature from 2010 to 2016. Observational studies and literature reviews were included, searched for predefined inclusion criteria. Results A total of 29 studies were included. Most of the reviews reported that depression may be a risk factor for dementia. Moreover, frequency and severity of depressive episodes may increase the risk for dementia. However, the results are contradictory to a possible risk difference between early or late depression in determining the occurrence of AD. Conclusions Depression may be a prodrome of dementia and a risk factor of AD. However, the hypothesis of depression as risk factor is the most accredited one. Finally, there is one evidence suggesting that depression is a reaction to cognitive decline of AD.

Employability and Transitions: Fostering the Future of Young Adult Graduates

Abstract: Starting from questions inspired by the tremendous changes taking place in the worlds of education and employment, this research focuses on the role of employability in the building of new skills in higher education contexts. This longitudinal survey conducted on a sample of 52 graduates from the Educational Science sector found certain key characteristics in the transitions to the world of work, allowing reflection on those educational activities whose impact is more favourable to develop job placement

Representations and emotions on Covid-19 in Italy an exploratory research

Abstract: Italy is experiencing a health, economic, social and educational emergency caused by the pandemic spread of COVID-19. The article illustrates the results of a research on the impacts that the restrictions imposed by the Italian government have had on population, which suddenly had to deal with gradually increasing limitations of personal and social freedom, interrupting the usual way of life for an unknown time. The research follows an integrated approach: medical humanities represent the theoretical reference scenario for reading the social perceptions of Covid-19; emotional education for the re-planning of existences; sustainable educational planning for the prospects of change.