Self-financed projects – Psychology
- A detailed project description for selected projects is available in the side menu.
- Comprehensive information on the projects is also systematically documented and accessible in the SFU Research Portal (Pure).
Overview of ongoing, self-financed research projects
Chronic Disease, Treatment Adherence, and Health Literacy: a descriptive study using the Libet-Q
Chronic Disease, Treatment Adherence, and Health Literacy: a descriptive study using the Libet-Q
Project lead: Sara Palmieri (s.palmieri@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 01.09.2025 – 31.12.2026
EEG correlates of primary emotions
EEG correlates of primary emotions
Project lead: Peter Walla (peter.walla@sfu.ac.at), Human-Friedrich Unterrainer
Project duration: 01.12.2025 – 30.11.2027
SFU Research Portal
Efficacy of metacognitive interpersonal therapy for the treatment of eating disorders: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Efficacy of metacognitive interpersonal therapy for the treatment of eating disorders: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Project lead: Rosita Borlimi (r.borlimi@milano-sfu.it), Gianni Brighetti (g.brighetti@milano-sfu.it), Greta Riboli, Mattia Nese
Project duration: 03.06.2025 – 03.06.2030
Enhancing Metacognitive Sensitivity through Orbitofrontal tDCS: A Translational Preventive Framework
Enhancing Metacognitive Sensitivity through Orbitofrontal tDCS: A Translational Preventive Framework
Project lead: Mattia Ferro (m.ferro@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 01.01.2024 – 01.11.2026
SFU Research Portal
Evaluation of physiological activation produced by mental imagery and metacognitive tasks: an experimental study
Evaluation of physiological activation produced by mental imagery and metacognitive tasks: an experimental study
Project lead: Rosita Borlimi (r.borlimi@milano-sfu.it), Gianni Brighetti (g.brighetti@milano-sfu.it), Greta Riboli, Mattia Nese
Project duration: 03.06.2023 – 19.11 2026
SFU Research Portal
Exploring cognitive inflexibility and parental criticism in subjects with eating disorders
Exploring cognitive inflexibility and parental criticism in subjects with eating disorders
Project lead: Rosita Borlimi (r.borlimi@milano-sfu.it), Gianni Brighetti (g.brighetti@milano-sfu.it), Greta Riboli, Mattia Nese
Project duration: 05.03.2024 – 19.11.2027
SFU Research Portal
Fibromyalgia and sleep disorders: the effect of insomnia on the relationship between worry, rumination, and pain severity
Fibromyalgia and sleep disorders: the effect of insomnia on the relationship between worry, rumination, and pain severity
Project lead: Sara Palmieri (s.palmieri@milano-sfu.it), Michael Tenti
Project duration: 20.02.2024 – 31.12.2026
Flexible mapping of challenging behaviors (Flexmap): An exploratory study
Flexible mapping of challenging behaviors (Flexmap): An exploratory study
Project lead: Annalisa Oppo (a.oppo@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: running since 04.12.2024
SFU Research Portal
Italian Validation of Metacognition about Smoking Questionnaire
Italian Validation of Metacognition about Smoking Questionnaire
Project lead: Sara Palmieri (s.palmieri@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 04.10.2024 – 30.01.2026
Limits and Perspectives on the Use of AI and LLM in Clinical Psychology
Limits and Perspectives on the Use of AI and LLM in Clinical Psychology
Project lead: Matilde Buattini (61814029@mail.sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: running since 01.10.2023
SFU Research Portal
Metacognitive Beliefs behind Anger Rumination in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study
Metacognitive Beliefs behind Anger Rumination in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study
Project lead: Sara Palmieri (s.palmieri@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 20.11.2025 – 31.08.2028
No-Restraint Committed General Hospital Psychiatric Units (SPDCs) in Italy
No-Restraint Committed General Hospital Psychiatric Units (SPDCs) in Italy
Project lead: Raffaella Pocobello, Tarek el Sehity (tarek.el-sehity@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: 04.04.2023 – 03.04.2027
SFU Research Portal
Orbitofrontal tDCS Modulation of Delay Discounting for Early Prevention of Psychiatric Vulnerability
Orbitofrontal tDCS Modulation of Delay Discounting for Early Prevention of Psychiatric Vulnerability
Project lead: Mattia Ferro (m.ferro@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 01.01.2024 – 01.11.2026
SFU Research Portal
Protocol for accessing and analyzing clinical data gathered at InTherapy for developing experimental research projects, epidemiological studies and validation of new psychotherapy efficacy monitoring instruments for adults
Protocol for accessing and analyzing clinical data gathered at InTherapy for developing experimental research projects, epidemiological studies and validation of new psychotherapy efficacy monitoring instruments for adults
Project lead: Gabriele Caselli (g.caselli@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 07.11.2024 – 06.11.2034
Protocol for accessing and analyzing clinical data gathered at Italian Clinics of Psychotherapy
Protocol for accessing and analyzing clinical data gathered at Italian Clinics of Psychotherapy
Center for Developmental Age (CIPee) for developing experimental research projects, epidemiological studies and validation of new psychotherapy efficacy monitoring instruments for youth.
Project lead: Simona Scaini (s.scaini@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 22.11.2024 – 21.11.2034
Psyflex at Work Program. Application of an In-Presence and/or Online Protocol to Promote Flexibility and Psychological Well-Being in Workers: An Open-Label Study
Psyflex at Work Program. Application of an In-Presence and/or Online Protocol to Promote Flexibility and Psychological Well-Being in Workers: An Open-Label Study
Project lead: Annalisa Oppo (a.oppo@milano-sfu.it), Alice Barbieri, Anna Prevedini, Barbara Forresi
Project duration: running since 11.11.2020
Public Self-Consciousness in Pathological Narcissism: A Metacognitive Perspective
Public Self-Consciousness in Pathological Narcissism: A Metacognitive Perspective
Project lead: Gabriele Caselli (g.caselli@milano-sfu.it), Matilde Buattini (61814029@mail.sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: running since 02.11.2022
Realities of life in the area of conflict between sport and school
Realities of life in the area of conflict between sport and school
Project lead: Armin Klaps (armin.klaps@sfu.ac.at), Markus Wrbouschek
Project duration: 01.11.2023 – 02.11.2026
ROLE-THERAPY: ACTing flexible trough gamified metaphors
ROLE-THERAPY: ACTing flexible trough gamified metaphors
Project lead: Gabriele Caselli (g.caselli@milano-sfu.it), Martina Meroni
Project duration: running since 14.03.2025
Self-observation and the need for diagnosis: Negotiating meaning in patient-psychologist interaction
Self-observation and the need for diagnosis: Negotiating meaning in patient-psychologist interaction
Project lead: Natalie Rodax (natalie.rodax@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: running since 01.10.2024
Standardization study of the Italian Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Scale (ICDSS) in an Italian sample of school-aged children
Standardization study of the Italian Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Scale (ICDSS) in an Italian sample of school-aged children
Project lead: Simona Scaini (s.scaini@milano-sfu.it), Marcella Caputti
Project duration: 04.12.2022 – 31.12.2026
Team Values
Team Values
Project lead: Oliver Wegenberger (oliver.wegenberger@sfu.ac.at), Tarek el Sehity (tarek.el-sehity@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: 01.01.2025 – 30.06.2027
SFU Research Portal
The Covid-19 Adolescent Study – Risk and Protective Factors in Adolescents’ Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study on the Italian Youth Population
The Covid-19 Adolescent Study – Risk and Protective Factors in Adolescents’ Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study on the Italian Youth Population
Project lead: Barbara Forresi (b.forresi@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: seit 01.04.2021
The effects of interoception on behaviors related to eating disorders
The effects of interoception on behaviors related to eating disorders
Project lead: Rosita Borlimi (r.borlimi@milano-sfu.it), Gianni Brighetti (g.brighetti@milano-sfu.it), Greta Riboli, Mattia Nese
Project duration: 01.09.2025 – 30.12.2028
The efficacy of individual metacognitive therapy for children and adolescents (MCT-C) with anxiety symptomatology
The efficacy of individual metacognitive therapy for children and adolescents (MCT-C) with anxiety symptomatology
Project lead: Simona Scaini (s.scaini@milano-sfu.it)
Project duration: 22.11.2024 – 21.11.2034
DE-FUSED: Deconstruction, Functional Understanding and Social Evaluation of Digital Behaviors
DE-FUSED: Deconstruction, Functional Understanding and Social Evaluation of Digital Behaviors
Project lead: Mario Lehenbauer-Baum (mario.lehenbauer@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: running since 01.11.2025
Comparison of Three ACT-Based Brief Mindfulness Interventions for Self-Stigma, Emotional Regulation, and Attention
Comparison of Three ACT-Based Brief Mindfulness Interventions for Self-Stigma, Emotional Regulation, and Attention
Project lead: Annalisa Oppo (a.oppo@milano-sfu.it), Alice Savoia, Alberto Misitano
Project duration: running since 05.04.2024
SFU Research Portal
Navigating Complexity – Experiences of Patients and Health Professionals in the Austrian Health System
Navigating Complexity – Experiences of Patients and Health Professionals in the Austrian Health System
Project lead: Gudrun Salamon (gudrun.salamon@sfu.ac.at), Monika Gritsch
Project duration: 01.07.2025 – 30.06.2028
Strengthening personal resources for a life with epidermolysis bullosa. An intervention study
Strengthening personal resources for a life with epidermolysis bullosa. An intervention study
Project lead: Gudrun Salamon (gudrun.salamon@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2029
Preparation of network application for theoretical psychology
Preparation of network application for theoretical psychology
Project lead: Alexander Wendt (alexander.wendt@sfu.ac.at)
Precarious Participation in Socio-Ecological Transformations: Subjective Perspectives on Sustainable Change Amid Social Inequalities
Precarious Participation in Socio-Ecological Transformations: Subjective Perspectives on Sustainable Change Amid Social Inequalities
Project lead: Katharina Hametner (Katharina.Hametner@sfu.ac.at), Ivo Ponocny, Markus Wrbouschek, Emelie Rack, Monika Gritsch, Isabel von Hansemann
Project team: Julia Riegler, Sofia Selina
Project duration: 01.09.2025 – 30.09.2026
Extremes in Psychology: Exploring the Spectrum of Subjective and Objective Perspectives
Extremes in Psychology: Exploring the Spectrum of Subjective and Objective Perspectives
Project lead: Ass.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Mihalits, MSc., BA.pth (dominik.mihalits@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: 10/2024 – 09/2030
Richard Strauss - The psychological picture of his personality, taking into account his relationship to his family and to contemporary artistic life
Richard Strauss - The psychological picture of his personality, taking into account his relationship to his family and to contemporary artistic life
Project lead: Mag. Dr. Gregor Wasicky (gregor.wasicky@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: until 2028
Fluid sexualities: A qualitative longitudinal study on changes in sexuality over the life course
Fluid sexualities: A qualitative longitudinal study on changes in sexuality over the life course
Project lead: Dr. Barbara Rothmüller (barbara.rothmueller@sfu.ac.at)
Project member: Anna-Greta Mittelberger, MA
Project duration: 04/2023 – 12/2033
Alexinomia: When it's impossible to say names
Alexinomia: When it's impossible to say names
Project lead: Ass.-Prof. Thomas Ditye, MRes, PhD (thomas.ditye@sfu.ac.at)
Project team: Mag. Lisa Welleschik; Univ.-Ass. Natalie Rodax, PhD.; Alexis Bergert, MA; Univ.-Prof. Dr. Peter Walla; Univ.-Ass. Sophie Gattermeyer
Project duration: 01/2021-12/2027
Changes in the perception of Soviet history (using the example of family history and/or local history) among young people in Russia in the years 2000-2020
Changes in the perception of Soviet history (using the example of family history and/or local history) among young people in Russia in the years 2000-2020
Project lead: Dr. Anna Schor-Tschudnowskaja (anna.schor-tschudnowskaja@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: February 2022 – end of 2026
- Project description (PDF, in German)
Corona protests research workshop
Corona protests research workshop
Project lead: Dr. Markus Brunner & Florian Knasmüller, MSc. (florian.knasmueller@sfu.ac.at, SFU Wien), Dr.in Antje Daniel
Former members: Felix Maile, Andreas Schadauer, Verena Stern
Project duration: 01/2021 – 10/2026
- Detailed information
- Research report: https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/25qb3
Gustav Ichheiser Archive
Gustav Ichheiser Archive
Linked to the publication of the book Memories of Gustav Ichheiser – Life and work of an exiled social scientist (Cham: Springer, 2017) by Amrei C. Joerchel (amrei.zopf-joerchel@sfu.ac.at) & Gerhard Benetka (gerhard.benetka@sfu.ac.at), Gustav Ichheiser’s writings in German, Polish and English are collected and published online.
Ongoing PhD Projects
"Boysober" - Voluntary secondary sexual abstinence among heterosexual young women
"Boysober" - Voluntary secondary sexual abstinence among heterosexual young women
Project lead: Emelie Rack, MSc. (emelie.rack@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: July 2024 – May 2027
Emotions in court – A deep hermeneutic analysis of emotions in domestic violence proceedings in the Austrian justice system
Emotions in court – A deep hermeneutic analysis of emotions in domestic violence proceedings in the Austrian justice system
Project lead: Julia Struppe-Schanda, MSc., BA (j.struppe-schanda@sfu.ac.at)
Project duration: October 2023 – June 2026
Unravelling the genetic and environmental factors at the basis of metacognition and its association with internalizing and externalizing traits: a twin study in childhood and adolescence
Unravelling the genetic and environmental factors at the basis of metacognition and its association with internalizing and externalizing traits: a twin study in childhood and adolescence
Project lead: Stefano De Francesco, MSc. (61817000@mail.sfu.ac.at)
Project team: Prof. Dr. Simona Scaini (s.scaini@milano-sfu.it), Dr. Emanuela Medda, Dr. Corrado Fagnani
Project duration: November 2024 – November 2027