2nd ISCP Italy Research Hub Symposium, 6th October, 2023
In the 2nd ISCP Italy Research Hub Symposium, SCP Italy shared the research updates in the three active streams: AI, Coach self-efficacy, and Ecopsychology. The symposium formed part of the 13th International Congress of Coaching Psychology and was be held on 6th October, 2023.
AI Research Stream
The Coaching Psychologist Bot at the service of reflective practice in coaching relationships
Maria Rita Fiasco, Roberto Gilli, Angela Di Rienzo, Silvana Dini
Based on research and literature review showing that one of the most active ingredients to coaching effectiveness is the coach-coachee relationship and showing the relevance of reflective practice in the work of Helping professionals, we developed the idea that AI could support the coach-coachee relationship by enhancing an independent, reflective practice of the coach and the coachee at the end of a coaching session. A Coaching Psychologist Bot (CPst Bot) was designed and developed to assist – at this stage – the coach’s reflective practice at the end of a coaching session. This current version of CPst Bot was based on an SCP Italy database of written reflective-on-practice open questions collected during the three Business Coaching Psychology Training Course editions. The aim is to activate metacognitive processes regarding the just concluded coaching session experience, gaining a better understanding of what in the coaching session and relationship worked well, what was less effective, and what would be done differently next time (Kovacs & Corrie, 2017), and challenging the coach’s reflective practitioner capacities (Hawkins & McMahon, 2020). In the next stage, a version of CPst Bot for coachee will be designed and developed.
During the Symposium session, the authors will provided a live demonstration of the use of CPst Bot.
Maria Rita Fiasco, SCP Italy Affiliate Member
Entrepreneur, Coach, and Founder of Gruppo Pragma (Trieste, Italia). With over 20 years of experience as a digital entrepreneur, she specializes in digital learning and knowledge management. Her mission is to help companies navigate digital transformation and change effectively by strengthening their human capital. Her company, based in AREA Science Park, Trieste, one of Europe’s largest scientific and technological parks, is a trailblazing ‘human-tech’ enterprise. In their R&D lab, the company has developed advanced AI-based platforms for learning and coaching. Ongoing research focuses on harnessing data and machine learning techniques intelligently. As a coach, she has played a pivotal role in significant coaching projects leveraging digital technology.
Roberto Gilli, Research & Innovation Advisor – Gruppo Pragma
Researcher, AI Expert, and Start-upper Roberto Gilli is an accomplished project and product manager, highly focused on driving digital innovation. He boasts extensive experience in conversation design and development (text and voice), e-learning, information systems, and innovative applications involving software agents, data science, and artificial intelligence. He has been delving into conversational technologies and interfaces (CUI – conversational user interfaces), including chatbots and “voice-first” applications, for many years. Since 2022, he has been actively developing with OpenAI Language Models, GPT, and other cutting-edge technologies.
Coach Self-Efficacy Research Stream
Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale: Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Italian version (CSSES-IT)
Diana Aguiar Vieira (CEOS.PP, ISCAP, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal), Angela Di Rienzo, Silvia Ramirez, Pizarro, Silvana Dini
The Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES; Vieira, 2011; Vieira & Palmer, 2012) was originally developed in Portugal and it assesses the extent to which a coach believes in his or her ability to establish trusting relationships and communicate effectively with clients to facilitate their personal and professional potential. The CSSES is a 24-item self-reported measure answered in a 6-point Likert scale (from “no confident at all” to “totally confident”). The purpose of the present study is to adapt and validate the Italian version of the Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES-IT). One hundred and ninety-six Italian coaches answered an online survey composed of the CSSES (24 items), the General Self-efficacy scale (10 items) and the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (10 items). The majority were female (76%) aged 50 years old or older (65%). Results from the exploratory factor analysis were similar to the CSSES original version. Moreover, concurrent validity was supported by CSSES associations both with general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence. In general, the present study supports the use of CSSES-IT as a tool in both research and practice within the Italian context.
Diana Aguiar Vieira, PhD
Diana Aguiar Vieira PhD is a Psychologist, coach and Associate Professor at the Porto Accounting and Business School (ISCAP), Polytechnic of Porto (P.PORTO), Portugal. Founder and coordinator of the Coaching, Career and Personal Development Unit (2011-2018) and the Alumni Office (2012-2018), both at ISCAP. Founder of the ICAReAlumni community (https://icarealumni.com/) and former Pro-Rector of P.PORTO (2013-2018) for the Alumni Strategy, Consulting Editor for the International Journal of Coaching Psychology and the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology”. She developed the Coaching Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES; Vieira, 2011) and her research on coaching has been guided by the Self-Efficacy Coaching Model. Her site (www.beyou-bemore.com) aims to share her knowledge with the general public.
Ecopsychology Research Stream
Comparison of the Effects of Walk-and-Talk Coaching versus Sit-and-Talk Coaching: A Pilot Study
Liana Catani (MSCPItaly), Angela Di Rienzo, Claudia Genola, Francesco Giustiniani, Ileana Moriconi, Silvana Dini
The in-progress study follows a previous Italian study on the practice of coaching while walking in a green space (Savarese & Dini, 2022). It compares the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of a Walk-and-Talk Coaching path versus a Sit-and-Talk one. Our research hypothesis is that a Walk-and-Talk Coaching path in a green space enhances the benefits of a Sit-and-Talk Coaching program thanks to the effects of physical activity and the impact of the human-nature relationship. The authors will introduce the study and main statement during the Symposium session.
Liana Catani, PhD. MSCPItaly
Senior consultant in People, Culture, and Organisational Development. Psychologist. Psychological Coaching Practitioner and Researcher. Psychotherapist. Has more than 30 years of international experience in improving and developing people and organizations, both profit and non-profit. She started her professional career as a trainer and researcher in consulting companies and psychosocial research institutes; and has collaborated as a researcher and lecturer on study projects at the Universities of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ and Urbino. She has gained extensive corporate experience in managing the engagement and growth of people in global organizations.