Patrizia Meringolo

Biography

Patrizia Meringolo is an Ordinary Professor (SSD M-PSI / 05-Social Psychology) at the Department of Education and Psychology at the University of Florence. He is a member of Scientific Associations such as the Italian Association of Psychology, the Italian Society of Community Psychology (of which he is President), the Italian Society of Psychology of Health, the European Community Psychology Association, the European Health Psychology Society, the Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Research and Action (Division 27 APA), American Psychological Association. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of journals such as "Psychology of Health" and "Community Psychology". He is part of the Scientific Committee of the Giovanni Michelucci Foundation in Florence. It is part of the Order of Psychologists and Psychotherapists of Tuscany.

Research Interest

The research interests concern topics of Social Psychology and Community Psychology.  In recent years, they have been focused (a) psychosocial and community problems that can accompany migratory phenomena, territorial conflicts and debate on cultural pluralism issues. In particular, the role of some possible mediating variables (gender, migration strategies, inclusion in the host country, presence or absence of intercultural reference groups) has been investigated; b) aspects of youth discomfort and consumption of legal and illegal substances. Specific risk behaviors (alcohol use and abuse, gender differences in consumption, role of expectation on consumption, cocaine consumption), resilience, intervention strategies, prevention of sexual behavior at risk and health promotion in youth leisure contexts; c) gender studies, gender violence, diversity management, value of differences; d) quality of life and relationships in urban contexts, with particular attention to the influence of gender variables; e) the role of formal and informal networks, with particular attention to situations of social marginality and problems related to inclusion processes. In many researches a qualitative methodology has been used, based on the analysis of text content, semi-structured interviews and focus groups (also with software support for computer-assisted qualitative analysis ), and the participatory action approach .