Recent advances in mental health care are have highlighted the need to reform approaches to conceptualize and treat mental disorders. The ongoing debate about conceptual issues in psychopathology and psychiatry, which is partly reflected in expert discussions preceding the publication of the latest editions of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), has emphasized some of the shortcomings of contemporary approaches, without offering fully shared solutions. Clearly, there is a need for an integrative framework that does justice to research and practice, as well as diagnostic and clinical models of psychopathological conditions.

The aim of the project is to edit a novel book emphasising why and how applications of evolutionary theory to mental health can facilitate this integrative process. More specifically, the book aims to offer a unified framework to the understanding of the evolution of the human mind, and give more weight to the meaning of psychological processes and behavioural dispositions, which eventually may become maladaptive to the point of generating what we define as psychopathology. Moreover, the book seeks to outline practical utility and applications of evolution-derived concepts in clinical psychotherapy.

As regards the project for the fellowship at the KLI, it is planned to conceptualise and write or finalise chapters assigned to the applicant (Chapter 1: Principles of evolutionary theory, evolutionary psychology and psychopathology; Chapter 9 (jointly with Dr Simone Cheli, the co-editor: Mechanisms of repression – failed self-deception?; Chapter 17: One Health and evolution; as well as Introduction and Epilogue). In addition, it is envisaged to review and comment the other chapters, which will be submitted to the editors in early October 2025.