Dimitra V. Katsarou

Prof. Dr. Dimitra V. Katsarou

University of the Aegean, Rhodes, Greece
orcid
Associate Professor with Tenure of Developmental Psychopatho...

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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AAAlexandros Argyriadis
Alexandros Argyriadis
EPEvridiki Patelarou
Evridiki Patelarou
PPPanagiotis Paoullis
Panagiotis Paoullis
ATHINA PATELAROUATHINA PATELAROU
ATHINA PATELAROU
IDIoannis Dimitrakopoulos
Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos
Agathi ArgyriadiAgathi Argyriadi
Agathi Argyriadi
Current research often refers to cultural competence to improve health care delivery. In addition, it focuses on the cultural uniqueness of each health service user for optimal personalized care. This study aimed to collect self-assessment data from health professionals regarding their cultural competence and to identify their development needs. A mixed methods design was adopted using the Cultural Competence Self-assessment Checklist of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society. This was translated into Greek, validated, and then shared with health professionals in Cyprus. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview guide was designed and utilized. This was structured in exactly the same question categories as the questionnaire. Data collection took place between October 2021 and May 2022, and convenience sampling was used to recruit 499 health scientists in Cyprus. The sample comprised doctors, nurses, psychologists, midwives, social workers, and physiotherapists. Subsequently, 62 interviews were conducted with participants from the same specialties. The results showed that (compared to other health professionals) nurses and psychologists are more sensitive to issues of cultural competence. It would appear that the more socially oriented sciences had better-prepared healthcare staff to manage diversity in context. However, there is a gap between knowledge and skills when comparing doctors to nurses; they seem to be more skilled and willing to intervene actively in cases of racist behavior or problem-solving. In conclusion, participants identified the importance of their cultural competence; they also realized the importance of optimal planning of personalized health care. There is a significant need for continuous and specialized cultural competence training for all health professions.

10 July 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Dimitra V. KatsarouDimitra V. Katsarou
Dimitra V. Katsarou
Efthymia EfthymiouEfthymia Efthymiou
Efthymia Efthymiou
Georgios A. KougioumtzisGeorgios A. Kougioumtzis
Georgios A. Kougioumtzis
Maria SofologiMaria Sofologi
Maria Sofologi
Maria TheodoratouMaria Theodoratou
Maria Theodoratou
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) significantly influences children’s language acquisition and usage. This theoretical study explores the multifaceted impact of ADHD on language development, specifically focusing on reading and writing challenges. Existing research reveals that approximately 30% of children with ADHD show significant delays in reading proficiency. Additionally, about 40% of these children struggle with phonological processing, which directly impacts their reading and writing skills. Interventions targeting executive function training combined with phonics-based instruction have been shown to significantly improve language outcomes. This study introduces a comprehensive framework connecting these challenges to specific interventions and collaborative strategies, emphasizing the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach. This work provides perspectives on the specific connections between ADHD symptoms and language difficulties, offering detailed potential solutions based on empirical data. Moreover, it features the necessity of adopting integrated intervention strategies to advance academic outcomes and communicative competencies for children with ADHD, providing new understandings into effective educational practices.

6 December 2023 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Maria TheodoratouMaria Theodoratou
Maria Theodoratou
Georgios A. KougioumtzisGeorgios A. Kougioumtzis
Georgios A. Kougioumtzis
Vasiliki YotsidiVasiliki Yotsidi
Vasiliki Yotsidi
Maria SofologiMaria Sofologi
Maria Sofologi
Dimitra V. KatsarouDimitra V. Katsarou
Dimitra V. Katsarou
Kalliopi MegariKalliopi Megari
Kalliopi Megari
Traumatic events, especially massive trauma resulting from catastrophic incidents, wars, or severe abuse can elicit significant neuropsychological alterations, with profound implications for cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. This mini-review delineates the primary neural changes post-trauma and underscores the importance of timely neuropsychological and clinical interventions. Specific brain regions, including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, undergo physiological changes that can lead to memory impairments, attention deficits, and emotional disturbances. PTSD, a commonly diagnosed condition post-trauma, exemplifies the intricate relationship between trauma and memory processing. Furthermore, the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain’s inherent ability to adapt and rewire, offers hope for recovery. Current clinical interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and biofeedback, leverage this neuroplastic potential to foster healing. The review underscores the vital importance of early intervention to mitigate long-term neuropsychological impacts, emphasizing the role of timely and targeted clinical interventions. The synthesis of this knowledge is crucial for clinicians, allowing for informed therapeutic approaches that holistically address both the physiological and psychological dimensions of trauma.

11 March 2025 in Education Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Dimitra V. KatsarouDimitra V. Katsarou
Dimitra V. Katsarou
EMEvangelos Mantsos
Evangelos Mantsos
Soultana PapadopoulouSoultana Papadopoulou
Soultana Papadopoulou
Maria SofologiMaria Sofologi
Maria Sofologi
Efthymia EfthymiouEfthymia Efthymiou
Efthymia Efthymiou
Georgios A. KougioumtzisGeorgios A. Kougioumtzis
Georgios A. Kougioumtzis
The study explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing grammar challenges among children with learning disabilities, aiming to assess the efficacy of an AI-driven tool for personalized interventions. A sample of 100 children aged 8–12, diagnosed with learning disabilities, was recruited from special education programs. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 50), which used an AI-based grammar assessment tool with personalized feedback, and a control group (n = 50), which completed conventional paper-based grammar tests without feedback. The AI tool administered adaptive grammar tasks, including sentence correction and verb conjugation, and performance was evaluated over four weeks using pre-test and post-test measures. A quasi-experimental design and statistical analyses, including t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA, revealed a significant improvement in grammar performance for the experimental group (M = 78.5, SD = 5.6) compared to the control group (M = 70.2, SD = 6.1; p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.84). Participants and educators reported high engagement and usability of the tool. The findings underscore AI’s potential to provide tailored learning experiences, addressing individual needs more effectively than conventional strategies. Further research should examine long-term outcomes and broader educational applications to maximize its impact.

Agathi ArgyriadiAgathi Argyriadi
Agathi Argyriadi
Dimitra V. KatsarouDimitra V. Katsarou
Dimitra V. Katsarou
ATHINA PATELAROUATHINA PATELAROU
ATHINA PATELAROU
Kalliopi MegariKalliopi Megari
Kalliopi Megari
EPEvridiki Patelarou
Evridiki Patelarou
AAAlexandros Argyriadis
Alexandros Argyriadis
(1) Background: The integration of digital technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), telepsychiatry, and communication platforms has transformed the mental health sector a lot compared to in previous years. While these tools enhance service delivery, they also introduce unique stressors. Despite growing concerns, there is no validated instrument specifically designed to measure the digital stress experienced by mental health professionals. (2) Methods: This study involved the development and psychometric validation of the Digital Stress Scale (DSC). The process included item generation through a literature review and qualitative interviews, expert panel validation, and a two-phase statistical evaluation. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted on responses from 423 licensed mental health professionals using EHRs and digital communication tools. The scale’s reliability and convergent validity were assessed via internal consistency and correlations with established mental health measures. (3) Results: The final DSC included four subscales: digital fatigue, technostress, digital disengagement, and work–life digital boundaries. CFA supported the factor structure (CFI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.038), and the overall reliability was acceptable (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.87). Descriptive analysis showed moderate-to-high levels of digital stress (M = 11.94, SD = 2.72). Digital fatigue was the strongest predictor of total stress (β = 1.00, p < 0.001), followed by technostress and work–life boundary violations. All subscales were significantly correlated with burnout (r = 0.72), job dissatisfaction (r = −0.61), and perceived stress (r = 0.68), all with a p < 0.001. (4) Conclusions: The DSC is a valid and reliable tool for assessing digital stress among mental health professionals. Findings point out the urgent need for policy-level interventions to mitigate digital overload, promote healthy work–life boundaries, and enhance digital competency in mental health settings.

11 June 2022 in International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Dimitra V. KatsarouDimitra V. Katsarou
Dimitra V. Katsarou
GAGeorgia Andreou
Georgia Andreou