Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancer, represent an escalating global health challenge, exerting not only physical but also deep psychological and psychopathological burdens on affected individuals. In this context, Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry play a pivotal role in identifying, understanding, and treating the complex mental health issues that often accompany chronic illness.

Emerging evidence underscores the benefits of integrated psychological and psychiatric interventions: from enhancing adherence to medical treatments and supporting emotional adjustment, to facilitating pharmacological management, improving quality of life, and fostering overall well-being.

However, critical challenges remain. The integration of psychological care into routine chronic disease management is still debated, with questions surrounding best practices, scalability, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This Research Topic seeks to explore the evolving interface between clinical psychology, psychopathology, and chronic disease care, with a focus on evidence-based approaches, transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations. The collection welcomes contributions that examine the role of clinical psychological assessment, psychiatric evaluation, therapeutic interventions, and psychopharmacology in managing chronic illness. Special attention will be given to research that demonstrates the value of patient-centred, integrated care models.

Key themes include, but are not limited to:
• Implementation of tailored psychosocial and psychiatric interventions in chronic disease care
• Mechanisms linking mental and physical health outcomes
• The role of psychologists and psychiatrists in enhancing patient-provider communication and interdisciplinary care
• Addressing health inequities through access to psychological and psychiatric services
• Development of holistic, patient-centred care models grounded in psychological and psychiatric expertise

Submissions of original research articles, systematic reviews, conceptual analyses, and clinical case reports are encouraged, with the aim of advancing innovative and collaborative strategies to improve patient outcomes in chronic illness.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The Role of Clinical Psychology in Chronic Illness and Disease

Topic Coordinator