Ascolta

Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 15, Palermo, 90128, Italy.

e-Mail: giulia.costanzo01@unipa.it

Education

Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (LM-51)

 

Current Positions

PhD Student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences

 

PhD project title and a short abstract

Exploring Risk and Protective Factors for Eating Disorder Symptoms Across the Lifespan: The Role of Relational Factors

Eating disorder (ED) symptoms are complex and multifaceted conditions influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. While extensive research has examined individual and sociocultural determinants of ED symptoms, less attention has been given to relational factors, such as the quality of early family interactions, romantic relationships, and interpersonal networks, in shaping vulnerability and resilience to these conditions.

Evidence highlights the profound influence of interpersonal relationships on psychological adjustment and well-being. Attachment theory and interpersonal models of EDs suggest that early relational experiences shape emotion regulation, self-esteem, and body image, all of which are critical in the etiology of ED symptoms. Furthermore, romantic relationships and broader social support networks play a crucial role in buffering stress and promoting adaptive coping strategies.

Based on the above, this research project aims to explore risk and protective factors for ED symptoms across different life stages (including adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood, and pregnancy), with special emphasis placed on the impact of relational experiences. By adopting a lifespan perspective, this research project seeks to capture the dynamic interplay between relational factors and ED risk at key developmental transitions.

Findings from this project could inform clinical practice by identifying relational patterns that contribute to the onset of ED symptoms or recovery, ultimately fostering more effective, tailored, and relationship-based interventions. This approach underscores the importance of considering not only individual vulnerabilities but also the broader relational contexts in which ED symptoms can develop and persist.

 

Supervisor: Prof. Giorgio Falgares

Curriculum Vitae

 

Main research areas of interest

• Mid- and long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences
• Risk and protective factors in the development of eating disorders symptoms
• Psychopathology and personality disorders
• Quality of romantic relationships and their effects on emotional adjustment
• Sexual well-being

Researcher ID

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Giulia-Costanzo-7

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2202-820X

 

Publications:

Infurna, M. R., Bevacqua, E., Costanzo, G., Falgares, G., & Giannone, F. (2023). Psychosocial risk factors and psychopathological outcomes: Preliminary findings in Italian pregnant women. Women, 3(1), 121-131. DOI: 10.3390/women/3010010

Falgares, G., Costanzo, G., Manna, G., Giannone, F., Mento, C., Formica, I., Infurna, M. R., & Cassibba, R. (2022). Examining the mediating role of attachment style in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder in adolescent outpatients. In: Atti del XXX Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Padova, 27-30 settembre. A cura di F. Gambarota et al., Book of Abstract. 30° Congresso dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia. Padova: Padova University Press. ISBN 978-88-6938-316-8

Falgares, G., Marchetti, D., Costanzo, G., Manna, G., Verrocchio, M. C., & Ingoglia, S. (2022). Orthorexia Nervosa vs Healthy Orthorexia: Preliminary results of the Italian validation of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS). In: Atti del XXX Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Padova, 27-30 settembre. A cura di F. Gambarota et al., Book of Abstract. 30° Congresso dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia. Padova: Padova University Press. ISBN 978-88-6938-316-8

Costanzo, G., Marchetti, D., Manna, G., Verrocchio, M. C., & Falgares, G. (2022). The role of eating disorders features, psychopathology, and defense mechanisms in the comprehension of orthorexic tendencies. Eating and Weight Disorders. DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01417-3

Manna, G., Costanzo, G., De Santis, S., & Falgares, G. (2022). The mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between mother’s attachment style and offspring’s depression. Current Psychology. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02529-2

Costanzo, G., Marchetti, D., Manna, G., & Falgares, G. (2021). Orthorexic tendencies and healthy eating in university students: Which association with eating disorders, psychopathology, and defense mechanisms? In: Atti del XXII Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Sezione Clinica e Dinamica, Lecce, 17-19 settembre. A cura di C. Venuleo et al., Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 9, No. 2 Suppl., 2021, pp. 43-44. DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3224

Manna, G., Falgares, G., Costanzo, G., La Sala, M. C., Lamis, D. A., & Musso, P. (2021). Cumulative childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury: The mediating and moderating role of perceived social support in a sample of university students. Journal of Family Violence, 1-13. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-021-00312-2

Falgares, G., Manna, G., Costanzo, G., De Santis, S., Kopala-Sibley, D. C., & Ingoglia, S. (2021). The predictive role of ideological, personality and psychopathological factors in homonegative attitudes in Italy. Sexuality & Culture, 26, 339-353. DOI: 10.1007/s12119-021-09894-x

Marchetti, D., Manna, G., Costanzo, G., Falgares, G. (2019). The role of self-criticism and dependency in the association between childhood maltreatment, self-harming behaviors and suicide risk. In: Atti del XXI Congresso Nazionale dell’Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Sezione Clinica e Dinamica, Milano, 27-29 settembre. A cura di M. Bottini et al., Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 7, No. 2 Suppl., 2019, pp. 73-74. DOI: 10.6092/2282-1619/2019.7.2267