Maria Theodoratou | Hellenic Open University (original) (raw)

Papers by Maria Theodoratou

European Psychiatry

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare crisis, with unprecedented impact on healthcare... more IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare crisis, with unprecedented impact on healthcare services, notable morbidity and mortality of the public and healthcare workers, economic impact and significant psychosocial impact. Besides, this pandemic has had a profound negative effect on the mental health of people worldwide, particularly among those who are faced with combating the virus.ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ mental health (HCWs), as they are on the front line of the pandemic.MethodsAn internet-based questionnaire was created including the following scales: (1)Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), (2) Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) (3) Quality of Professional Life (ProQOL) (4) Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, (PTGI), (5) Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), (6) Brief Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief Cope)], (7) Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF). It was distributed...

European Psychiatry

Introduction: BackgroundDuring the pandemic, health professionals had the unprecedented experienc... more Introduction: BackgroundDuring the pandemic, health professionals had the unprecedented experience of dealing with a newdisease with high contagiousness and mortality. The workload, but also the fear of disease management, caused significant levels of stress. Each employee managed stress in his own way. This study detects the level of stress experienced by health workers during the pandemic and the coping strategies they selected accordingly.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the coping strategies used by health professionals during the pandemic of coronavirus.MethodsThe sample comprised 180 health professionals that were working in a public hospital. The data collection tool was an anonymous questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic questions, the Toulouse Scale for coping , and a sub questionnaire to explore health professionals’ views on the pandemic.ResultsWomen (73.9%), young individuals (50.6% are up to 35 years old) and TEI graduates (53.9%) predominate in...

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) i... more This chapter provides a comprehensive review of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, including diagnosis, neuropsychology, co-occurring conditions, and treatment interventions. A mixed methods approach was used, which included a literature review of relevant articles published between 1990 and 2023 and a case study vignette. The interventions discussed in the chapter cover a range of areas, including pharmacological, behavioral, and educational approaches, with the goal of improving the functioning and quality of life of individuals with ADHD. The case study vignette provides a practical illustration of how these interventions can be tailored to meet the unique needs of an individual with ADHD. Overall, this chapter presents a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and comorbidities, and emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions for optimum results.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multi-factorial, neurodevelopmental disorder with a ... more Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multi-factorial, neurodevelopmental disorder with a dynamic set of neuronal and behavioral abnormalities, which involves various systems of the body. A sharp rise in the incidence of ASD cases has been noted worldwide owing to the complex combination of increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, poor nutrition, various prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors, genetic predisposition precipitated by adverse environmental conditions and gynecological interventions. ASD is not a single disorder but it encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders resulting from various genetic and non-genetic risk factors contributing independently as well as together. The co-occurrence of different disorders in ASD seems to be normal rather than the exception. Although no medicine has been recognized to treat ASD, several medicines have been proposed to ameliorate co-morbid conditions and are found to be the most efficacious in diminishing ASD-associated symptoms such as self-harm, aggressive episodes, irritability, unusual conduct, inattention , anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and insomnia. Complementary therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Speech therapy, music therapy, educational therapy, psychotherapy, occupational therapy and nutritional therapy have shown partial benefits when applied individually as per the specific needs of the child. Most importantly compassionate care coupled with assurance and reassurance by the parents and friends is crucial. No single therapy works completely for all kinds of patients. Different treatment approaches have been practiced to address different aspects of social behavior, communication deficits, physical disabilities, specific symptoms and co-morbidities. Therefore, designing appropriate routine and behavioral support by a psychotherapist tailored for each child as per its symptoms is essential for providing a comfortable life. Several substances targeting immune dysfunction, neuroinflammation, glutamate/GABA imbalance, NMDA receptors and neuropeptides are undergoing clinical trials with variable success. Stem cell therapy aimed at preventing neuro-degeneration, modulating the immune system and improving brain function is also being investigated. To help the unfortunate child and improve the quality of life of concerned families, an integrative approach combining drug therapy and non-drug therapy offers a great promise. However, along with the therapeutic management, the cooperation of family members backed by society is necessary for enhancing the quality of life of a child suffering from ASD..

European Psychiatry, 2023

IntroductionAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potential traumatic events that occur from b... more IntroductionAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potential traumatic events that occur from birth to the end of adolescence (0-18 years), including various types of neglect, abuse and violence in a child’s domestic and community life. Experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is associated with the onset of anxiety in adolescence. According to recent studies, pandemic COVID-19 is a novel ACE that has been found to increase anxiety in adolescents.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between ACEs and COVID-19 in the development of anxiety in adolescenceMethodsΑ cross-sectional study was designed in a community sample of 248 adolescent boys and girls, aged 12 to 15 years (Mean: 13.5 years), from five High Schools in Eastern Attica. Four Questionnaires were used: 1) Demographic Questionnaire, 2) State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory for Children - STAIC, 3) Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, and 4) Impact of COVID-19 Questionnaire.ResultsThe results demonstrated a str...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate mobbing in the Hospitals of Etoloakarnania, ... more Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate mobbing in the Hospitals of Etoloakarnania, Greece. Additionally, this research aims to find out which coping strategies are used by health care professionals who have suffered mobbing and how their quality of life has been affected. Objectives This research aims to depict mobbing phenomenon’s extent and investigate the coping strategies and quality of life of working staff, victims of mobbing. Methods The research methodology was based on two questionnaires: LIPT scale and the scale of assessing bullying management strategies, as well as demographic data, which were answered by 130 people. A sufficient sample for the needs of this study to produce comparable results with the existing literature. Results Mobbing is observed to a large extent of 83.8% , which, however, seems to be at lower levels in relation to corresponding researches abroad. In addition, the majority of respondents who appear to have been harassed at work are mos...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has caused multilevel changes worldwide. Everyday life of all ... more Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has caused multilevel changes worldwide. Everyday life of all people has been altered drastically. Children with ASD seem to face difficulties due to their heightened sensitivity to unpredictable and complex changes in their lifestyle. Our presentation aims to reveal the effects of Covid-19 on school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Objectives The main thematic areas of this research, concerning the social workers’ questionnaire, focused on the routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability and school environment of children with ASD. Methods Between June 22nd and August 16th, 2021, social workers (n=38) and parents (n=25) administrated a questionnaire -through google form platform- which investigated issues around routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability, school, and family. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results The routine and psycho-emotional condition...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The new adoption law, which was introduced in Greece in 2018, brought radical change... more Introduction The new adoption law, which was introduced in Greece in 2018, brought radical changes in adoption. Objectives This presentation aimed to investigate the emotions of the prospective stepparents, based on the changes which were effectuated by the new law of adoption. Methods This survey was conducted through mixed methodology. Quantitative research was addressed to investigate the emotions of the to prospective stepparents. Qualitative research was addressed to social workers and its goal was to depict their opinion about the new law and the prospective stepparents’ expressed emotions. Results The findings of the survey have demonstrated that the stepparents had a variety of emotions that changed throughout the adoption process. The dominant feelings of parents at the first visit with the social worker were stress and anxiety. However, at the end of the training process, these feelings were replaced by confidence and impatience. This emotional rotation of prospective step...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionStudies have shown that sport participation is connected with a more positive self-im... more IntroductionStudies have shown that sport participation is connected with a more positive self-image and higher self-esteem in adolescents (Bowkers, 2006, Kirkcaldy et al., 2002), whereas sedentary behavior is associated with negative mental health characteristics (Primack et al., 2009).PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity influences adolescents and young people's emotions, self-esteem and generally mental health.MaterialQuestionnaires were redacted by the research team investigating participants’ habits, emotions and health benefits concerning physical activities.MethodQuestionnaires were administered to 150 adolescents, aged 18–20 years old in Technological Educational Institutes, colleges and fitness centers in Patras, Southern Greece during 2015's spring.ResultsEighty-seven percent of the respondents worked out in fitness centers or in natural environment. Most of them answered that exercise contributed to revitalization and euphoria ...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionFamily hosts for people with mental diseases is a quite new institution in Greece [1,... more IntroductionFamily hosts for people with mental diseases is a quite new institution in Greece [1,2].ObjectivesThe study investigated Greek people's attitudes toward mentally ill people and their institutionalisationAimsThe survey investigated Greek society's attitudes and bias concerning Family Host Programs for the mentally ill.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to a sample of six hundred (600) people in the cities of Patras, Pyrgos and Mesologgi, Southern Greece from May the 27th to June the 12thResultsOf the respondents, 47.3% were men while 52.7% were women. Most citizens were not familiar with the term “Host Family” and were not aware of this new institution (62.7%). However, many knew a person that suffered from mental illness environment (35.7%), but they thought that mentally ill people would be rather a “burden” to foster families (32.2%).ConclusionsAlthough many people knew well a person with mental illness, they were not aware of psychiatric reforms and commu...

Annals of General Psychiatry, 2008

Background The purpose of this research study is to help us to distinguish how much, certain fact... more Background The purpose of this research study is to help us to distinguish how much, certain factors can influence 'coping strategies' that parents of disabled children use.

Technium Social Sciences Journal

Neurocognitive functions play a decisive role in neurodevelopmental disorders affecting the quali... more Neurocognitive functions play a decisive role in neurodevelopmental disorders affecting the quality of life of individuals with corresponding diagnoses or clinical indications. In addition, the parameter of executives and their subcategories, such as cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibition, as well as the possibility of their optimization through special treatment and training, have been extensively studied in the literature over the past several decades. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a decade's worth of review studies on executive functions and quality of life in developmental spectrum disorders. Given the genetic heterogeneity and polymorphism of the neurodevelopmental disorder profile and the overlap of outcome parameters, the findings of review studies must be more consistent in explaining causal factors and the efficacy of interventions. Nonetheless, innovative therapeutic approaches and their individualization hold promise for bridgi...

Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burde... more Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burden imposed by drug addiction is huge. Drug abuse is considered to be a very important public health problem all over the world. Moreover, it is cause of concern for health services, policy makers, prevention workers, criminal justice system, youth workers, teachers, parents. An increased awareness of comorbidity between mental and substance use disorders connects prevention with psychiatry and related disciplines. Emphasis on program evaluation has helped identify cost effective programs and policies. The integration of prevention within healthy life style policies and programs, including interventions at the school, family and community levels, is more likely to produce the desired outcomes [1].

Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry, 2017

College life requires more physical and emotional resources from students than high school. As a ... more College life requires more physical and emotional resources from students than high school. As a result of these higher demands, it is common for college students to experience greater levels of stress. If stress is not dealt with effectively, individuals suffer psychological symptoms such as low self esteem, reduced motivation, anxiety, depression. Effective coping strategies facilitate the return to a balanced state, reducing the negative effects of stress. The data collection was carried out by filling anonymously the Toulouse's scale of Coping, which consists of 54 statements expressing coping strategies. In total, 18 positive and negative coping strategies, classified in six strategy categories (focus, social support, withdrawal, change of attitude, control, denial) and three strategy fields (behavioural, information seeking, emotional) were tested. The use of the studied strategies was quantified in three levels (low, moderate, high). The study cohort (n=999) was recruited from the Greek educational system, among 5 cities of Greece. The data show that all coping strategies are used by the majority of the study participants (>95%), though the intensity may vary from person to person, leading to different mean values. Women, as expected were found to implement more coping strategies in general, with social support, change and withdrawal to be applied the most (p<0,0001). No statistically significant differences were found concerning age or place of origin, as expected. Surprisingly, even though all students employ a variety of coping strategies, geographical location of each college or university may favor a preference towards certain strategies. Consequently, there is evidence that physical surroundings and learning environment of smaller university cities influence coping strategies, such as social support, emotion, positive strategies and focus.

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionStudies have documented that drug prevention centers in Greece have been through an e... more IntroductionStudies have documented that drug prevention centers in Greece have been through an era of turmoil and uncertainty (EKTEPN, 2015, Tsounis, 2012, Kiritsi and Tsiotra, 2004) underlining the staff's hard work all over Greece.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the current fiscal crisis on the operating conditions as described by the staff of the Attica substance prevention centers with the emphasis on main problem areas and solutions.MaterialStatistically reliable questionnaires were used by the research team investigating participants views on the aforementioned areas of enquiry.MethodTwo Questionnaires were administered to 59 psychologists and social workers working at the centers of Attica, Greece during the summer of 2015.ResultsThe majority (85%) of those working at the centers mentioned the main problems as following:– issues concerning the institutional role of the centers, the education and supervision of the staff;– fiscal issues as a...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionIt is well known that students have several stressful situations to cope with and the... more IntroductionIt is well known that students have several stressful situations to cope with and their coping strategies are of a wide range (Brougham et al., 2009, Zi et al., 2011, Pierceall and Cane, 2009).ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to investigate how students coped with various stressful situations they faced.AimsOne hundred participants, 60 men and 40 women, studying at TEI of Patras, Greece, were randomly selected and asked to describe their stressful situations and the ways they dealt with them.MethodThe questionnaire used was based on “Échelle Toulousaine de Coping” (Tap et al., 1993) adjusted by Theodoratou et al. (2006).ResultsForty-five percent of the students could not control their feelings, while facing a difficult situation and might feel panic, but the majority of the students (63%) did not use medication to cope with a difficult situation. When facing a problem, the 45% of the students did not amuse themselves and 35% of the participants avoided communication...

Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry, 2015

were social support (65%), behavioral change (55%), faith in God (80%) and the effort to control ... more were social support (65%), behavioral change (55%), faith in God (80%) and the effort to control negative emotions (40%).

European Psychiatry

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare crisis, with unprecedented impact on healthcare... more IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare crisis, with unprecedented impact on healthcare services, notable morbidity and mortality of the public and healthcare workers, economic impact and significant psychosocial impact. Besides, this pandemic has had a profound negative effect on the mental health of people worldwide, particularly among those who are faced with combating the virus.ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ mental health (HCWs), as they are on the front line of the pandemic.MethodsAn internet-based questionnaire was created including the following scales: (1)Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), (2) Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) (3) Quality of Professional Life (ProQOL) (4) Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, (PTGI), (5) Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), (6) Brief Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief Cope)], (7) Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF). It was distributed...

European Psychiatry

Introduction: BackgroundDuring the pandemic, health professionals had the unprecedented experienc... more Introduction: BackgroundDuring the pandemic, health professionals had the unprecedented experience of dealing with a newdisease with high contagiousness and mortality. The workload, but also the fear of disease management, caused significant levels of stress. Each employee managed stress in his own way. This study detects the level of stress experienced by health workers during the pandemic and the coping strategies they selected accordingly.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the coping strategies used by health professionals during the pandemic of coronavirus.MethodsThe sample comprised 180 health professionals that were working in a public hospital. The data collection tool was an anonymous questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic questions, the Toulouse Scale for coping , and a sub questionnaire to explore health professionals’ views on the pandemic.ResultsWomen (73.9%), young individuals (50.6% are up to 35 years old) and TEI graduates (53.9%) predominate in...

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) i... more This chapter provides a comprehensive review of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, including diagnosis, neuropsychology, co-occurring conditions, and treatment interventions. A mixed methods approach was used, which included a literature review of relevant articles published between 1990 and 2023 and a case study vignette. The interventions discussed in the chapter cover a range of areas, including pharmacological, behavioral, and educational approaches, with the goal of improving the functioning and quality of life of individuals with ADHD. The case study vignette provides a practical illustration of how these interventions can be tailored to meet the unique needs of an individual with ADHD. Overall, this chapter presents a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and comorbidities, and emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions for optimum results.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multi-factorial, neurodevelopmental disorder with a ... more Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, multi-factorial, neurodevelopmental disorder with a dynamic set of neuronal and behavioral abnormalities, which involves various systems of the body. A sharp rise in the incidence of ASD cases has been noted worldwide owing to the complex combination of increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria, poor nutrition, various prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors, genetic predisposition precipitated by adverse environmental conditions and gynecological interventions. ASD is not a single disorder but it encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders resulting from various genetic and non-genetic risk factors contributing independently as well as together. The co-occurrence of different disorders in ASD seems to be normal rather than the exception. Although no medicine has been recognized to treat ASD, several medicines have been proposed to ameliorate co-morbid conditions and are found to be the most efficacious in diminishing ASD-associated symptoms such as self-harm, aggressive episodes, irritability, unusual conduct, inattention , anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and insomnia. Complementary therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Speech therapy, music therapy, educational therapy, psychotherapy, occupational therapy and nutritional therapy have shown partial benefits when applied individually as per the specific needs of the child. Most importantly compassionate care coupled with assurance and reassurance by the parents and friends is crucial. No single therapy works completely for all kinds of patients. Different treatment approaches have been practiced to address different aspects of social behavior, communication deficits, physical disabilities, specific symptoms and co-morbidities. Therefore, designing appropriate routine and behavioral support by a psychotherapist tailored for each child as per its symptoms is essential for providing a comfortable life. Several substances targeting immune dysfunction, neuroinflammation, glutamate/GABA imbalance, NMDA receptors and neuropeptides are undergoing clinical trials with variable success. Stem cell therapy aimed at preventing neuro-degeneration, modulating the immune system and improving brain function is also being investigated. To help the unfortunate child and improve the quality of life of concerned families, an integrative approach combining drug therapy and non-drug therapy offers a great promise. However, along with the therapeutic management, the cooperation of family members backed by society is necessary for enhancing the quality of life of a child suffering from ASD..

European Psychiatry, 2023

IntroductionAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potential traumatic events that occur from b... more IntroductionAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potential traumatic events that occur from birth to the end of adolescence (0-18 years), including various types of neglect, abuse and violence in a child’s domestic and community life. Experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is associated with the onset of anxiety in adolescence. According to recent studies, pandemic COVID-19 is a novel ACE that has been found to increase anxiety in adolescents.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between ACEs and COVID-19 in the development of anxiety in adolescenceMethodsΑ cross-sectional study was designed in a community sample of 248 adolescent boys and girls, aged 12 to 15 years (Mean: 13.5 years), from five High Schools in Eastern Attica. Four Questionnaires were used: 1) Demographic Questionnaire, 2) State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory for Children - STAIC, 3) Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, and 4) Impact of COVID-19 Questionnaire.ResultsThe results demonstrated a str...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate mobbing in the Hospitals of Etoloakarnania, ... more Introduction The aim of this study is to investigate mobbing in the Hospitals of Etoloakarnania, Greece. Additionally, this research aims to find out which coping strategies are used by health care professionals who have suffered mobbing and how their quality of life has been affected. Objectives This research aims to depict mobbing phenomenon’s extent and investigate the coping strategies and quality of life of working staff, victims of mobbing. Methods The research methodology was based on two questionnaires: LIPT scale and the scale of assessing bullying management strategies, as well as demographic data, which were answered by 130 people. A sufficient sample for the needs of this study to produce comparable results with the existing literature. Results Mobbing is observed to a large extent of 83.8% , which, however, seems to be at lower levels in relation to corresponding researches abroad. In addition, the majority of respondents who appear to have been harassed at work are mos...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has caused multilevel changes worldwide. Everyday life of all ... more Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic has caused multilevel changes worldwide. Everyday life of all people has been altered drastically. Children with ASD seem to face difficulties due to their heightened sensitivity to unpredictable and complex changes in their lifestyle. Our presentation aims to reveal the effects of Covid-19 on school-age children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Objectives The main thematic areas of this research, concerning the social workers’ questionnaire, focused on the routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability and school environment of children with ASD. Methods Between June 22nd and August 16th, 2021, social workers (n=38) and parents (n=25) administrated a questionnaire -through google form platform- which investigated issues around routine, psycho-emotional field, school performance, sociability, school, and family. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results The routine and psycho-emotional condition...

European Psychiatry

Introduction The new adoption law, which was introduced in Greece in 2018, brought radical change... more Introduction The new adoption law, which was introduced in Greece in 2018, brought radical changes in adoption. Objectives This presentation aimed to investigate the emotions of the prospective stepparents, based on the changes which were effectuated by the new law of adoption. Methods This survey was conducted through mixed methodology. Quantitative research was addressed to investigate the emotions of the to prospective stepparents. Qualitative research was addressed to social workers and its goal was to depict their opinion about the new law and the prospective stepparents’ expressed emotions. Results The findings of the survey have demonstrated that the stepparents had a variety of emotions that changed throughout the adoption process. The dominant feelings of parents at the first visit with the social worker were stress and anxiety. However, at the end of the training process, these feelings were replaced by confidence and impatience. This emotional rotation of prospective step...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionStudies have shown that sport participation is connected with a more positive self-im... more IntroductionStudies have shown that sport participation is connected with a more positive self-image and higher self-esteem in adolescents (Bowkers, 2006, Kirkcaldy et al., 2002), whereas sedentary behavior is associated with negative mental health characteristics (Primack et al., 2009).PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity influences adolescents and young people's emotions, self-esteem and generally mental health.MaterialQuestionnaires were redacted by the research team investigating participants’ habits, emotions and health benefits concerning physical activities.MethodQuestionnaires were administered to 150 adolescents, aged 18–20 years old in Technological Educational Institutes, colleges and fitness centers in Patras, Southern Greece during 2015's spring.ResultsEighty-seven percent of the respondents worked out in fitness centers or in natural environment. Most of them answered that exercise contributed to revitalization and euphoria ...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionFamily hosts for people with mental diseases is a quite new institution in Greece [1,... more IntroductionFamily hosts for people with mental diseases is a quite new institution in Greece [1,2].ObjectivesThe study investigated Greek people's attitudes toward mentally ill people and their institutionalisationAimsThe survey investigated Greek society's attitudes and bias concerning Family Host Programs for the mentally ill.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to a sample of six hundred (600) people in the cities of Patras, Pyrgos and Mesologgi, Southern Greece from May the 27th to June the 12thResultsOf the respondents, 47.3% were men while 52.7% were women. Most citizens were not familiar with the term “Host Family” and were not aware of this new institution (62.7%). However, many knew a person that suffered from mental illness environment (35.7%), but they thought that mentally ill people would be rather a “burden” to foster families (32.2%).ConclusionsAlthough many people knew well a person with mental illness, they were not aware of psychiatric reforms and commu...

Annals of General Psychiatry, 2008

Background The purpose of this research study is to help us to distinguish how much, certain fact... more Background The purpose of this research study is to help us to distinguish how much, certain factors can influence 'coping strategies' that parents of disabled children use.

Technium Social Sciences Journal

Neurocognitive functions play a decisive role in neurodevelopmental disorders affecting the quali... more Neurocognitive functions play a decisive role in neurodevelopmental disorders affecting the quality of life of individuals with corresponding diagnoses or clinical indications. In addition, the parameter of executives and their subcategories, such as cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibition, as well as the possibility of their optimization through special treatment and training, have been extensively studied in the literature over the past several decades. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a decade's worth of review studies on executive functions and quality of life in developmental spectrum disorders. Given the genetic heterogeneity and polymorphism of the neurodevelopmental disorder profile and the overlap of outcome parameters, the findings of review studies must be more consistent in explaining causal factors and the efficacy of interventions. Nonetheless, innovative therapeutic approaches and their individualization hold promise for bridgi...

Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burde... more Preventing substance abuse is a very important and alarming issue for global health, as the burden imposed by drug addiction is huge. Drug abuse is considered to be a very important public health problem all over the world. Moreover, it is cause of concern for health services, policy makers, prevention workers, criminal justice system, youth workers, teachers, parents. An increased awareness of comorbidity between mental and substance use disorders connects prevention with psychiatry and related disciplines. Emphasis on program evaluation has helped identify cost effective programs and policies. The integration of prevention within healthy life style policies and programs, including interventions at the school, family and community levels, is more likely to produce the desired outcomes [1].

Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry, 2017

College life requires more physical and emotional resources from students than high school. As a ... more College life requires more physical and emotional resources from students than high school. As a result of these higher demands, it is common for college students to experience greater levels of stress. If stress is not dealt with effectively, individuals suffer psychological symptoms such as low self esteem, reduced motivation, anxiety, depression. Effective coping strategies facilitate the return to a balanced state, reducing the negative effects of stress. The data collection was carried out by filling anonymously the Toulouse's scale of Coping, which consists of 54 statements expressing coping strategies. In total, 18 positive and negative coping strategies, classified in six strategy categories (focus, social support, withdrawal, change of attitude, control, denial) and three strategy fields (behavioural, information seeking, emotional) were tested. The use of the studied strategies was quantified in three levels (low, moderate, high). The study cohort (n=999) was recruited from the Greek educational system, among 5 cities of Greece. The data show that all coping strategies are used by the majority of the study participants (>95%), though the intensity may vary from person to person, leading to different mean values. Women, as expected were found to implement more coping strategies in general, with social support, change and withdrawal to be applied the most (p<0,0001). No statistically significant differences were found concerning age or place of origin, as expected. Surprisingly, even though all students employ a variety of coping strategies, geographical location of each college or university may favor a preference towards certain strategies. Consequently, there is evidence that physical surroundings and learning environment of smaller university cities influence coping strategies, such as social support, emotion, positive strategies and focus.

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionStudies have documented that drug prevention centers in Greece have been through an e... more IntroductionStudies have documented that drug prevention centers in Greece have been through an era of turmoil and uncertainty (EKTEPN, 2015, Tsounis, 2012, Kiritsi and Tsiotra, 2004) underlining the staff's hard work all over Greece.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the current fiscal crisis on the operating conditions as described by the staff of the Attica substance prevention centers with the emphasis on main problem areas and solutions.MaterialStatistically reliable questionnaires were used by the research team investigating participants views on the aforementioned areas of enquiry.MethodTwo Questionnaires were administered to 59 psychologists and social workers working at the centers of Attica, Greece during the summer of 2015.ResultsThe majority (85%) of those working at the centers mentioned the main problems as following:– issues concerning the institutional role of the centers, the education and supervision of the staff;– fiscal issues as a...

European Psychiatry, 2016

IntroductionIt is well known that students have several stressful situations to cope with and the... more IntroductionIt is well known that students have several stressful situations to cope with and their coping strategies are of a wide range (Brougham et al., 2009, Zi et al., 2011, Pierceall and Cane, 2009).ObjectiveThe purpose of the study was to investigate how students coped with various stressful situations they faced.AimsOne hundred participants, 60 men and 40 women, studying at TEI of Patras, Greece, were randomly selected and asked to describe their stressful situations and the ways they dealt with them.MethodThe questionnaire used was based on “Échelle Toulousaine de Coping” (Tap et al., 1993) adjusted by Theodoratou et al. (2006).ResultsForty-five percent of the students could not control their feelings, while facing a difficult situation and might feel panic, but the majority of the students (63%) did not use medication to cope with a difficult situation. When facing a problem, the 45% of the students did not amuse themselves and 35% of the participants avoided communication...

Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry, 2015

were social support (65%), behavioral change (55%), faith in God (80%) and the effort to control ... more were social support (65%), behavioral change (55%), faith in God (80%) and the effort to control negative emotions (40%).