Module: Psychological Health,Difficulties & Disorders

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychological Health,Difficulties & Disorders
Module Code	PSY1046 (ITS: PSYC402)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to enable students to critically discuss issues pertinent to mental health and illness, including the conceptualisation, assessment and treatment of a range of psychological difficulties and disorders.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically consider historical and contemporary conceptualisations of mental health and illness
2. Understand and appraise the diagnostic systems and assessment methods used by psychologists to identify psychological difficulties and disorders
3. Discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, etiology and treatment approaches for common psychological disorders
4. Critically evaluate research and practice in the area including key ethical issues in mental health service delivery

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	REMOTE ASYNCHRONOUS LECTURE 20; REMOTE SYNCHRONOUS SEMINAR 10
Tutorial	4	Group work and additional supports
Assignment Completion	46	Independent Assessment preparation
Independent Study	45	Independent lecture and seminar preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11487	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Áine Travers	Module Teacher	Catherine Fassbender, Pamela Gallagher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Group presentation of a poster concerning issues relevant to understanding mental health and illness (Individual contribution).	30%	n/a
Essay	Individual essay based on a psychological health issue.	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Kring, A. & Johnson, S.: 2022, Abnormal psychology: the science and treatment of psychological disorders, 15th Edition - DSM-5-TR Update, Wiley,
Carr, A.: 2006, The handbook of child and adolescent clinical psychology: a contextual approach, 2nd Edition, Routledge,
Carr, A. & McNulty, M.: 2016, The handbook of adult clinical psychology: an evidence based practice approach, 2nd Edition, Routledge,
Hooley, J., Nock, M. & Butcher, J.: 2021, Abnormal psychology, 18th Edition, Pearson,
Kelly, B.: 2016, Hearing voices: the history of psychiatry in Ireland, Irish Academic Press,
Nathan, P.E. & Gorman, J.A.: 2015, A guide to treatments that work, 4th Edition, Oxford University Press,
Oltmanns, T.F.: 2012, Case studies in abnormal psychology, 9th Edition, Wiley,
Pilgrim, D. & Rogers, A.: 1999, A sociology of mental health and illness, 2nd Edition, Open University Press,
Wampold, B.E. & Imel, Z.E.: 2015, The great psychotherapy debate : the evidence for what makes psychotherapy work, 2nd Edition, Routledge,

Articles:

0: Students will be directed to relevant peer reviewed journals,

Other Resources

None