Psychological Intervention with Vulnerable Populations

Code:

PJD11

Acronym:

IPPV

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Psychology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MPSI	21	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2021	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Português, embora seja possível a participação de estudantes que falem outras línguas

Objectives

To Prepare students for Science-informed psychological practice among 
people who face psychosocial vulnerability. These circumstances
are associated with specific challenges which require specific knowledge and 
capacities. By providing the updated theoretical, 
conceptual and intervention tools, this course aims to prepare future psychologists
to properly deal with psychosocial vulnerability. 

Learning outcomes and competences

1. To understand and to apply the main concepts and explanatory theories that exist regarding psychological and social vulnerability and respective interventios.


2. To distinguish different types of intervention, their essential characteristics and associated scientific evidence (clinical intervention; proximal; communitymacro-structural ...).


3. To know, understand and apply the most relevant psychological intervention techniques with regard to vulnerable sectors of the population, taking into account not only intrapersonal aspects, but also the socio-environmental and cultural conditions of production and alteration of the issues addressed.


4. From some examples of good practice, identify, characterize and critically discuss interventions regarding individual cases, but also programs and projects.


5. To apply the acquired knowledge to new situations and contexts.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. From Theory

1.1. Socio-historical and conceptual framework for the “vulnerable populations” and respective interventions

1.2. Conceptualization of “psychological intervention” and “psychosocial vulnerability”

1.3. Different types of intervention and associated scientific evidence

1.4. Deconstruction of the materiality of objects and interventions

1.5. Psychology informed by “evidence” - the triple contribution of scientific literature, of the experience of the psychology professional and of the characteristics and preferences of the beneficiaries / clients

2. To practice: Intervention strategies and respective target audiences

2.1. How to design, implement and evaluate interventions

2.2. The interventional diversity that psychology offers (clinical, proximal, community, macro-structural…)

2.3. - different audiences, different needs: people who are homeless, people who use psychoactive substances, people who practice sex work, people in conflict with the law, refugees, migrants, sexual and gender minorities.

Mandatory literature

APA; Helping people without homes. The role of psychologists and recommendations to advanced research, training, practice and policy
IOM; Manual on Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies and Displacement. , 2019
GSA; Working with vulnerable youth, 2017
CICV; Diretrizes em saúde mental e apoio psicossocial, 2017
Foucault, M. ; O nascimento da clínica, 2003
International Federation Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support (2018); Psychological Intervention: a handbook, 2018

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies are based on an integrated matrix that combines

- Expository presentation of the main theories, concepts and practices;

- Dialogue and discussion (either in a small group or in plenary sessions);

- Work in groups, respective presentation and discussion in the classroom.

- Analysis and critical discussion of learning materials (texts, videos, news, documentaries, etc.);

- Analysis, discussion and planning on real case interventions in collaboration with community institutions

- Institutional study visits  (e.g. harm reduction projects)

 

keywords

Social sciences
Health sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	78,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Evaluation is based on a work group and on a final written exam. Each of those componentes counts for 50% of the final classification and a minimun of 8 points in each component is needed. 10 points of minimum classification are required.

Calculation formula of final grade

Work group - 50%
Exam - 50%