Vasiliki Tsoulou

Dr. Vasiliki Tsoulou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

View All Publications
13 August 2025 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMaria Polikandrioti
Maria Polikandrioti
ATAthanasia Tsami
Athanasia Tsami
VTVasiliki Tsoulou
Vasiliki Tsoulou
AMAndriana Maggita
Andriana Maggita
Background/Objectives: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience increased morbidity, limited daily activities, and diminished quality of life (QoL), thus relying on a family member, widely known as informal caregiver, for support. The objective of this study was to explore (a) QoL, anxiety, and depression; (b) factors associated with QoL; and (c) the impact of associated factors on QoL among HF caregivers. Materials and methods: Data collection was performed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs), and the European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS). Also recorded were characteristics of caregivers and patients. Results: In the present study, 110 HF caregivers and the family members they provided care to were enrolled. The majority of caregivers were patients’ spouses (60%) and were female (71.8%). Within a QoL score range of 0–100, caregivers showed moderate to high levels in role-physical, role-emotional, emotional well-being, and pain (median: 75, 66.7, 64, and 67.5, respectively); moderate QoL levels in energy/fatigue, social functioning, and general health (median: 55, 56.3, and 62, respectively); and poor QoL levels in physical functioning (median: 18). Moreover, 64.5% of caregivers had anxiety and 41.8% had depression. Caregivers with HADs scores that indicate anxiety and depression had worse QoL (p = 0.001). No association was detected between caregivers’ QoL and patients’ HADs and self-care. Conclusions: QoL and anxiety/depression merit further research by clinicians, health systems, and policymakers so that evidence-based policies and interventional programs tailored to their needs can be implemented.

PAPanagiota Aroniada
Panagiota Aroniada
VTVasiliki Tsoulou
Vasiliki Tsoulou
AMAndriana Maggita
Andriana Maggita
ATAthanasia Tsami
Athanasia Tsami
MPMaria Polikandrioti
Maria Polikandrioti
Introduction: Vital exhaustion (VE), characterized by fatigue, irritability, frustration, and hopelessness, has been associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is considered a maladaptive response to chronic stress. This study aimed to explore the association of VE with anxiety and insomnia in hospitalized patients with CVD, as well as the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with VE. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 200 hospitalized patients with CVD. VE was assessed using the Maastricht Questionnaire (MEQ); anxiety, using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS); and insomnia, using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Additionally, a structured questionnaire on clinical and demographic variables was utilized. Results: The majority of the 200 participants were men (60.7%) and aged 71–80 years (40%). The mean VE score was 21.4 ± 10.1 within score range from 0 to 40. VE was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.006), occupation (p = 0.006), type of CVD (p < 0.001), comorbidity burden (p = 0.001), and perceived importance of written health information (p = 0.015). Higher VE scores were positively correlated with both anxiety and insomnia (p < 0.05). Conclusions: VE is closely associated with anxiety and insomnia and is influenced by key demographic and clinical factors in hospitalized patients with CVD. These findings highlight VE as a clinically relevant condition and identify distinct high-risk patient groups that may benefit from targeted assessment and management strategies.

19 August 2026 in Psychiatry International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VTVasiliki Tsoulou
Vasiliki Tsoulou
Areti StavropoulouAreti Stavropoulou
Areti Stavropoulou
ASAngeliki Stamou
Angeliki Stamou
MPMaria Polikandrioti
Maria Polikandrioti
Introduction: Nurses in hospital settings frequently experience anxiety, which may adversely affect both their psychological well-being and professional functioning. In this context, Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) and Meaning in Life are recognized as key factors influencing nurses’ mental health outcomes. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the level of anxiety among nursing personnel in hospital settings and to assess its association with ProQoL and Meaning in Life. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 200 nursing personnel in a public hospital. Data were collected using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 (ProQoL-5), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) which also included characteristics of nursing personnel. Results: Anxiety levels were low to mild (39.8 ± 8.7). ProQoL dimensions indicated moderate to high Compassion Satisfaction (35.5 ± 7.3) and moderate levels of Burnout (27.6 ± 5.7) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (26.5 ± 6.1). Regarding Meaning in Life, participants reported high levels of Presence of Meaning (27.1 ± 4.8) and moderate levels of Search for Meaning (21.7 ± 6.7). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between anxiety and Compassion Satisfaction (r = −0.532, p < 0.001), as well as between anxiety and Presence of Meaning (r = −0.387, p < 0.001). In contrast, anxiety was positively correlated with Burnout (r = 0.652, p < 0.001) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (r = 0.534, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, the self-rating of daily work experience score was associated with increased anxiety levels by 0.9 units for each unit increase (95% CI: 0.2 to 1.7, p < 0.011). Compassion Satisfaction was associated with a decrease in anxiety by 0.4 units (95% CI: −0.6 to −0.2, p < 0.001), while Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress were associated with an increase in anxiety by 0.5 (95% CI: 0.2 to 0.8, p < 0.001) and 0.4 units (95% CI: 0.2 to 0.6, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Self-rated daily work experience, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress were positively associated with anxiety, whereas Compassion Satisfaction was negatively associated with anxiety. These results illustrate the importance of targeted interventions aimed at reducing anxiety, strengthening ProQoL, and promoting Meaning in Life to support nursing personnel’s well-being.