Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
FrancoAngeli Journals

Regular Articles

No. 1 (2026)

The contemporaneity of the clinical and the clinical of contemporaneity

  • Fiorella Bucci
  • Sergio Salvatore
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/rpc1-2026oa23598
Submitted
agosto 31, 2026
Published
2026-10-05

Abstract

Clinical psychology has historically developed upon a conception of subjectivity inherited from modernity: that of a subject endowed with reflective rationality, capable of directing its own actions and, through them, contributing to the reproduction of the social order. This paper argues that this anthropological configuration is progressively dissolving and that the emerging forms of subjectivity call for a fundamental reconsideration of the theoretical and clinical categories on which contemporary clinical psychology has been built. By integrating psychological theory with the analysis of historical and social transformations, the paper interprets contemporary society as the emergence of a different mode of organizing experience. Its central thesis is that the erosion of the vital forms of social bonding, together with the growing prevalence of environments that are simultaneously highly abstract and perceptually saturated, has transformed the conditions under which the mind stabilizes its representations. From this perspective, the so-called anthropological mutation concerns not merely the increased prevalence of familiar phenomena, but the very mode through which experience is constituted. Consequently, the contemporary patient should not be understood as deviating from a universal model of subjectivity, but rather as expressing a historically and culturally specific configuration of the human condition. The paper concludes by arguing for a revision of the foundational categories of clinical psychology, one that reorients the discipline toward the processes of sense-making and the historical and social conditions through which subjectivity is constituted.

References

  1. Albarracín, D., Fayaz-Farkhad, B., & Granados Samayoa, J. A. (2024). Determinants of behaviour and their efficacy as targets of behavioural change interventions. Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(6), 377–392. doi: 10.1038/s44159-024-00305-0
  2. Balaskas, A., Schueller, S. M., Cox, A. L., & Doherty, G. (2021). Ecological momentary interventions for mental health: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0248152. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248152
  3. Bevilacqua, R., Casaccia, S., Cortellessa, G., Astell, A., Lattanzio, F., Corsonello, A., D’Ascoli, P., Paolini, S., Di Rosa, M., Rossi, L., & Maranesi, E. (2020). Coaching Through Technology: A Systematic Review into Efficacy and Effectiveness for the Ageing Population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 5930. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165930
  4. Conner, M., & Norman, P. (2022). Understanding the intention-behavior gap: The role of intention strength. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 923464. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.923464
  5. Cotie, P., Willms, A., & Liu, S. (2025). Implementation of Behavior Change Theories and Techniques for Physical Activity Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(7), 1133. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22071133
  6. Engel G. L. (1980). The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. The American journal of psychiatry, 137(5), 535–544. doi: 10.1176/ajp.137.5.535
  7. Eurostat. (2024). Preventive health care expenditure statistics. Statistics Explained. Consultato il 19 luglio 2026, da https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Preventive_health_care_expenditure_statistics
  8. Fang, Y. E., Zhang, Z., Wang, R., Yang, B., Chen, C., Nisa, C., Tong, X., & Yan, L. L. (2023). Effectiveness of eHealth Smoking Cessation Interventions: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e45111. doi: 10.2196/45111
  9. Forman, E. M., Goldstein, S. P., Crochiere, R. J., Butryn, M. L., Juarascio, A. S., Zhang, F., & Foster, G. D. (2019). Randomized controlled trial of OnTrack, a just-in-time adaptive intervention designed to enhance weight loss. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 9(6), 989–1001. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibz137
  10. Gardner, B., Arden, M. A., Brown, D., Eves, F. F., Green, J., Hamilton, K., Hankonen, N., Inauen, J., Keller, J., Kwasnicka, D., Labudek, S., Marien, H., Masaryk, R., McCleary, N., Mullan, B. A., Neter, E., Orbell, S., Potthoff, S., & Lally, P. (2023). Developing habit-based health behaviour change interventions: Twenty-one questions to guide future research. Psychology & Health, 38(4), 518–540. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2021. 2003362
  11. Goldstein, S. P., Zhang, F., Klasnja, P., Hoover, A., Wing, R. R., & Thomas, J. G. (2021). Optimizing a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to Improve Dietary Adherence in Behavioral Obesity Treatment: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(12), e33568. doi: 10.2196/33568
  12. Gullapalli, B. T., Shetty, V., Trella, A. L., Gazi, A. H., & Murphy, S. A. (2026). Learning When to Intervene on Habitual Behaviors: A Case Study in Oral Health Care (arXiv:2607.09518). arXiv. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2607.09518
  13. Gurumurthy, N. P., Hurley, L., Nezami, B. T., & Gottfredson O’Shea, N. (2026). Behavior change techniques in mobile health interventions promoting recovery from substances: A synthesis of reviews and meta-analyses. DIGITAL HEALTH, 12, 20552076261458891. doi: 10.1177/ 20552076261458891
  14. Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2024). Longitudinal tests of the theory of planned behaviour: A meta-analysis. European Review of Social Psychology, 35(1), 198–254. doi: 10.1080/10463283.2023.2225897
  15. Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2025). Progress on theory of planned behavior research: Advances in research synthesis and agenda for future research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 48(1), 43–56. doi: 10.1007/s10865-024-00545-8
  16. Hagger, M. S., Hamilton, K., Phipps, D. J., Protogerou, C., Zhang, C.-Q., Girelli, L., Mallia, L., & Lucidi, F. (2023). Effects of habit and intention on behavior: Meta-analysis and test of key moderators. Motivation Science, 9(2), 73–94. doi: 10.1037/mot0000294
  17. Hardeman, W., Houghton, J., Lane, K., Jones, A., & Naughton, F. (2019). A systematic review of just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) to promote physical activity. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 31. doi: 10.1186/s12966-019-0792-7
  18. ISTAT. (2024). Indicatori demografici. Anno 2024. Istituto Nazionale di Statistica.
  19. James, E., Freund, M., Booth, A., Duncan, M. J., Johnson, N., Short, C. E., Wolfenden, L., Stacey, F. G., Kay-Lambkin, F., & Vandelanotte, C. (2016). Comparative efficacy of simultaneous versus sequential multiple health behavior change interventions among adults: A systematic review of randomised trials. Preventive Medicine, 89, 211–223. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.06.012
  20. Keller, R., Hartmann, S., Teepe, G. W., Lohse, K.-M., Alattas, A., Tudor Car, L., Müller-Riemenschneider, F., Von Wangenheim, F., Mair, J. L., & Kowatsch, T. (2022). Digital Behavior Change Interventions for the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Market Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(1), e33348. doi: 10.2196/33348
  21. Koh, J. Y. J., Tan, S. X., Tan, X. M., Tan, C. Y. H., Chan, S. L., Lee, J. W. K., Lim, A. Y. L., Lin, W., & Chew, H. S. J. (2025). Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions for Weight Management Among Adults with Excess Body Weight: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e76625. doi: 10.2196/76625
  22. Koike, C., Nestor, B. A., Gelmez, P. S., Fladger, A., Shrier, L. A., & Kossowsky, J. (2025a). Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use: A Systematic Review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 77(6), 1038–1049. doi: 10.1016/ j.jadohealth.2025.07.027
  23. Koike, C., Nestor, B. A., Gelmez, P. S., Fladger, A., Shrier, L. A., & Kossowsky, J. (2025b). Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use: A Systematic Review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 77(6), 1038–1049. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.07.027
  24. Kotz, D., Gunter, C. A., Kumar, S., & Weiner, J. P. (2016). Privacy and Security in Mobile Health: A Research Agenda. Computer, 49(6), 22–30. doi: 10.1109/MC.2016.185
  25. Kwasnicka, D., Dombrowski, S. U., White, M., & Sniehotta, F. (2016). Theoretical explanations for maintenance of behaviour change: A systematic review of behaviour theories. Health Psychology Review, 10(3), 277–296. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2016.1151372
  26. Long, N., Lei, Y., Peng, L., Xu, P., & Mao, P. (2022). A scoping review on monitoring mental health using smart wearable devices. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering, 19(8), 7899–7919. doi: 10.3934/mbe. 2022369
  27. Meyer-Schwickerath, C., Morawietz, C., Baumann, F. T., Huber, G., & Wiskemann, J. (2022). Efficacy of face-to-face behavior change counseling interventions on physical activity behavior in cancer survivors – a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(19), 5386–5401. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1938247
  28. Michie, S., Van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: A new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6(1), 42. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-42
  29. Ministero della Salute. (2025). Piano Nazionale della Prevenzione 2026–2031. Ministero della Salute.
  30. Morouço, P., & Ramadas, E. (2026). Digital Physical Activity Interventions for Mental Health Promotion of and Reduction in Addictive Behaviors: Integrative Comprehensive Review with a Focus on Personalization and Implementation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(6), 703. doi: 10.3390/ijerph23060703
  31. Nahum-Shani, I., & Murphy, S. A. (2026). Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions: Where Are We Now and What Is Next?
  32. Nahum-Shani, I., Hekler, E. B., & Spruijt-Metz, D. (2016). Building health behavior models to guide the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions: A pragmatic framework.
  33. Nahum-Shani, I., Smith, S. N., Spring, B. J., Collins, L. M., Witkiewitz, K., Tewari, A., & Murphy, S. A. (2018). Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in Mobile Health: Key Components and Design Principles for Ongoing Health Behavior Support. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52(6), 446–462. doi: 10.1007/s12160-016-9830-8
  34. OECD. (2026). The health and economic benefits of tackling non-communicable diseases (OECD Health Policy Studies). OECD Publishing. doi: 10.1787/e20cbbc3-en
  35. Perski, O., Hébert, E. T., Naughton, F., Hekler, E. B., Brown, J., & Businelle, M. S. (2022). Technology‐mediated just‐in‐time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) to reduce harmful substance use: A systematic review. Addiction, 117(5), 1220–1241. doi: 10.1111/add.15687
  36. Perski, O., Kale, D., Leppin, C., Okpako, T., Simons, D., Goldstein, S. P., Hekler, E., & Brown, J. (2024). Supervised machine learning to predict smoking lapses from Ecological Momentary Assessments and sensor data: Implications for just-in-time adaptive intervention development. PLOS Digital Health, 3(8), e0000594. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig. 0000594
  37. Teixeira, P. J., Marques, M. M., Silva, M. N., Brunet, J., Duda, J. L., Haerens, L., La Guardia, J., Lindwall, M., Lonsdale, C., Markland, D., Michie, S., Moller, A. C., Ntoumanis, N., Patrick, H., Reeve, J., Ryan, R. M., Sebire, S. J., Standage, M., Vansteenkiste, M., … Hagger, M. S. (2020). A classification of motivation and behavior change techniques used in self-determination theory-based interventions in health contexts. Motivation Science, 6(4), 438–455. doi: 10.1037/mot0000172
  38. Trella, A. L., Zhang, K. W., Nahum-Shani, I., Shetty, V., Doshi-Velez, F., & Murphy, S. A. (2022). Designing Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Digital Interventions: Pre-Implementation Guidelines. Algorithms, 15(8), 255. doi: 10.3390/a15080255
  39. Van Genugten, C. R., Thong, M. S. Y., Van Ballegooijen, W., Kleiboer, A. M., Spruijt-Metz, D., Smit, A. C., Sprangers, M. A. G., Terhorst, Y., & Riper, H. (2025). Beyond the current state of just-in-time adaptive interventions in mental health: A qualitative systematic review. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1460167. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2025.1460167
  40. Wade, D. T., & Halligan, P. W. (2017). The biopsychosocial model of illness: A model whose time has come. Clinical Rehabilitation, 31(8), 995–1004. doi: 10.1177/0269215517709890
  41. Wang, L., & Miller, L. C. (2020). Just-in-the-Moment Adaptive Interventions (JITAI): A Meta-Analytical Review. Health Communication, 35(12), 1531–1544. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2019.1652388
  42. Wood, W. (2024). Habits, Goals, and Effective Behavior Change. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 33(4), 226–232. doi: 10.1177/09637214241246480
  43. World Health Organization (2022). Invisible numbers: The true extent of noncommunicable diseases and what to do about them. World Health Organization.
  44. Zhu, Z., Aitken, J. A., Dalal, R. S., & Kaplan, S. A. (2024). The Promise of Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions for Organizational Scholarship and Practice: Conceptual Development and Research Agenda. Organizational Research Methods, 27(4), 543–587. doi: 10.1177/10944281231202740