La psicologia della salute come professione: stato, prospettive e implicazioni per la disciplina e la formazione

Based on a survey of professional psychologists conducted in Italy in 2023, this paper focuses on and discusses key findings that illustrate the journey of professionalisation within health psychology. Analysis of the data reveals: 1. Although health is a central theme for most professional psychologists (80%), it is mainly seen as a thematic reference rather than a practical one. In other words, it shapes how the profession is perceived but not necessarily how it is practised. 2. A professional design for health psychology needs to take into account the diverse operational contexts in which the discipline operates. 3. The professionalisation of health psychology also needs to adapt to changes in professional contexts, including shifts in the public welfare sector (→implosion) and growth in the private sector (→growth). The implications for the future scenario are discussed in relation to the professionalisation project of the discipline, as well as its paradigmatic development and training provision.