Maria Theodoratou

Dr. Maria Theodoratou

Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Pátrai, Greece
orcid
Adjunct Lecturer in Hellenic Open University, Greece and Nea...

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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20 February 2023 in Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry
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Journal Article
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Maria TheodoratouMaria Theodoratou
Maria Theodoratou
Ignatia FarmakopoulouIgnatia Farmakopoulou
Ignatia Farmakopoulou
Georgios A. KougioumtzisGeorgios A. Kougioumtzis
Georgios A. Kougioumtzis
AKAnna Kaltsouda
Anna Kaltsouda
ZSZoi Siouti
Zoi Siouti
GTGeorge Tsitsas
George Tsitsas
The present study investigated the strategies used by Greek students to cope with stress-inducing situations. The Greek adaptation of Echelle Toulousaine de Coping (ETC) was employed to assess coping strategies as well as various aspects of coping, including action, information-seeking and seeking support from family and friends. Results showed that female students tended to report significantly higher levels of coping than male students, both positive and negative. Although students did not significantly differ in terms of particular coping styles, significant gender differences were found for individual aspects of coping. Interestingly, women showed preference to emotion-focused strategies, such as seeking social support or engaging in activities to distract themselves from stressors. It was concluded that providing students with effective ways of managing stress is important for targeting counselling interventions

4 February 2024 in Psychiatry International
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Maria TheodoratouMaria Theodoratou
Maria Theodoratou
Marios ArgyridesMarios Argyrides
Marios Argyrides
The primary focus of this review is to rigorously explore the application and significance of coping strategies within the domains of clinical psychology and neuropsychology. These consist of a variety of techniques, behaviors, and cognitive interventions, and their critical role in reinforcing resilience and facilitating adaptive responses to stressors has been highlighted. This study explores the complex neuropsychological links between the brain’s stress pathways and the use of coping mechanisms. The neural aspects of stress, and how they can be influenced by adaptive strategies, are detailed, illustrating the profound impact that these coping mechanisms have at a neurobiological level. Delving into the neuropsychological underpinnings, this review will shed light on how stress response pathways in the brain interact with, and can be modulated by, various coping strategies. These mechanisms are particularly salient when addressing the multifaceted challenges that are faced by individuals with neuropsychological or mental health issues. While these strategies span a broad spectrum, from introspection and cognitive reframing to behavioral activation and social support seeking, their integration and application remain diverse within clinical contexts. This review endeavors to elucidate the theoretical underpinnings of these strategies, their empirical support, and their practical implications within therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, the intricate interplay between individualized coping techniques and structured therapeutic methodologies will be examined, emphasizing the potential for a holistic treatment paradigm, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes and fostering individual resilience.

10 July 2024 in Children
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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.

11 March 2025 in Education Sciences
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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.

6 December 2023 in Medicina
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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.

8 January 2023 in Technium Social Sciences Journal
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Maria TheodoratouMaria Theodoratou
Maria Theodoratou
Evgenia GkintoniEvgenia Gkintoni
Evgenia Gkintoni
Ignatia FarmakopoulouIgnatia Farmakopoulou
Ignatia Farmakopoulou
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 bridging this gap, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for individuals in this diagnostic category and their close relatives.