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The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) is the official generic assessment instrument of WHO for disability and health. It is considered to be applicable across cultures in adult populations. The paper describes the development, cultural adaptation and validation of the Greek version of the official WHODAS 2.0, 36-item assessment schedule. The research tested the psychometric properties of this version in order to identify if it can be considered a valid and reliable instrument for measuring health and disability in the Greek population and culture. Field test studies were conducted in two hundred participants of the general population, aged over 61 years old, in a Greek Open Care Centre for the elderly. The study was carried out between July 2015 and September 2016. The linguistic adaptation of the original instrument was performed according to the most recent guidelines. Ratings of the different items were statistically analyzed to investigate the construct, criterion and concurrent validity and reliability of the instrument. Construct validity is confirmed in the Greek version of WHODAS 2.0. Concurrent validity is well established between the scores of WHODAS 2.0 and SF-36 v2. Cronbach’s α (0.673–0.901) and ICC (0.793–0.885) values indicate satisfactory reliability. The study supports the validity and reliability of the official Greek version of WHODAS 2.0, which can be used to assess effectively the quality of life and disability levels of the intended population and inform policy-making. Findings will be further tested in larger and diversified samples in subsequent parts of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2019, a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos designed for 650 people was home to a growing population of over 5500. We aimed to quantitatively describe living conditions and health needs in the camp. Methods: A questionnaire was designed with reference to international humanitarian standards, following a consultative process with the asylum-seeker population. Domains assessed included demographics, living conditions, safety/vulnerability, and health. The questionnaire was piloted and then conducted in June 2019 on a sample of asylum seekers. Results: Five hundred participants, predominantly from Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of these, 79.4% lived in tents. Respondents cared for a total of 570 children; 20.6% of women were pregnant, 35.4% had experienced violence, 83% psychological distress, 71% skin disease, 66% diarrhoea and vomiting, and 64% respiratory disease. Accommodation, sanitation, and nutrition fell below internationally recognised standards, and poor access to water was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory disease, diarrhoea and vomiting, skin disease ,and psychological distress. Conclusions: Living conditions in the Samos camp fall below basic humanitarian standards and are associated with poor health status. Further research is imperative to analyse and monitor the diverse, varying needs of asylum-seekers and inform policies to improve conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association of blood hypertension and certain behavioral risk factors with cognitive decline in elderly individuals. Methods: A subsample of 92 elderly people aged ≥ 75 years was taken from 411 people (aged 65+ years) living in a rural area of Crete, Greece. Detailed medical and family/social history data were recorded on a standard validated health card, and cognitive disorders were assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The participants were evaluated for behavioral risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption and dietary habits. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the risk (odds ratios, OR) of cognitive impairment. Results: The mean age of participants was 80.8 ± 4.3 years old with 66.3% being married, and their MMSE mean score was 23.4 ± 4.6; 46.7% had severe and/or mild symptoms of cognitive decline, while more than half (67.4%) had been diagnosed with hypertension. Living alone (OR: 3.48, p = 0.034), being physically inactive (OR: 5.65, p = 0.046) and low consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR: 4.16, p = 0.018) were found to increase the odds of cognitive impairment, while elderly people with hypertension were also found to have lower odds of cognitive impairment (OR: 0.42, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although the observational character of this study carries some potential limitations, the reverse association of cognitive capacity with hypertension constitutes a 'paradox' phenomenon and is in contrast to the current literature. Further research with a larger sample is needed to better understand the observed association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been high interest in religious and spirituality practices among college students due to positive benefits to university life. However, no studies have been conducted examining nursing students' religiosity and use of spiritual coping and its impact on their QOL. This cross-sectional, descriptive study measured the QOL and examined the predictive roles of religiosity and spiritual coping among nursing students from four countries. Nursing students reported high overall QOL and health. Significant differences were revealed on the religiosity and spiritual coping of students in terms of demographic characteristics. Findings show frequent attendance to organized and non-organized religious activities lead to better physical and environmental domains, and using non-organized religious activities frequently lead to improved psychological health. More frequent use of non-religious coping strategies was associated with better physical, psychological, and environmental health, and improved social relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to importance of social support in maintenance of weight loss. Topics discussed include structural support and functional support being parts of social support, evaluation of functional social support through vandalization from family and friends and perceived social support assessment, significance of family and friends support for exercises and diet and better dietary intakes reported in maintainers with diet support.

The present study investigated: (a) the mediating effect of perceived intimate partner rejection in the relationship between remembered parental rejection and social anxiety, and (b) the moderating effect of gender in the relationship between remembered paternal and maternal rejection and social anxiety. The sample was consisted of 365 Greek university students (266 female; 99 male; 18-48 years) and data collection was made with self-report questionnaires measuring demographic characteristics, remembered paternal and maternal rejection, perceived intimate partner rejection, and social anxiety. The indirect (mediation) and conditional (moderating) effects were examined using the PROCESS program. Results showed that perceived intimate partner rejection mediated partly the relationship between both remembered paternal and maternal rejection and social anxiety. It was also found that remembered paternal and maternal rejection in childhood have a greater impact on the levels of social anxiety in adulthood for men than for women. Implications for future research and effective therapeutic interventions for socially anxious individuals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory research examined adjustment challenges, resiliencies, attitudes, emotional health, economic stability, criminal involvement, victimization and service experiences, and some cultural propensities of Greek Immigrants (GIs) in Australia using a convenient multi-generational sample (n = 123; response rate = .5). Data were collected via surveys, telephone, and personal-interviews in four major Australian cities. Among other things, the study revealed that Greek identity and cultural customs are often significant to first generation GIs. Adjustment challenges upon entry include primarily language, housing, and transportation difficulties, nostalgia for relatives and the motherland, unfamiliarity with socio-cultural systems, unemployment, money challenges, and lack of friendships. Christian faith, the extended family, family values and traditions, cultural pride for ancient Greek achievements, and a hard 'work ethic' are notable resiliencies that support GIs in their struggles and solidify their pursuit for happiness and success. Financial concerns, aging, and nostalgia for relatives and the motherland were the primary causes of socio-emotional instability. Attitudinal differences in the respondents based on age, gender, and socio-economic status, cross-cultural comparisons, and recommendations for culturally-sensitive practice with GIs are analyzed and methodological limitations illuminated. Future research needs in the field are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the mediation effect of children's depressive symptoms in the relationship between perceived maternal rejection and school bullying. Moreover, it explores the moderating role of paternal acceptance in this relationship. Two hundred and one pupils of 5th and 6th grade completed questionnaires about maternal and paternal acceptance-rejection, depressive symptoms and bullying/victimization. The indirect effects were examined using mediation analysis and Sobel's test, while for the conditional indirect (moderated mediation) effects, the MODMED program was used. The results showed that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between maternal rejection and victimization of self or bullying others. In addition, it was found that paternal acceptance moderated the relationship 'maternal rejection- depressive symptoms-victimization of self' as well as the relationship 'maternal rejection- depressive symptoms-bullying others'. These findings highlight the importance of father's role both in the psychological well being of children as well as in the complex phenomenon of school bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Running away from home and suicide attempts during adolescence are high-risk behaviors for safety and health, and a 'way out' from negative life experiences. Objective: To examine the self-reported prevalence of running away and suicide attempts among adolescents in Greece in the midst of a severe economic recession which is exerting pressure on families, and to identify associated psychosocial factors. Methods: Data were drawn from a nationally representative school survey (n = 23,279, 15-19 years old). Students answered in their classrooms an anonymous questionnaire under the supervision of trained researchers. Results: Each behavior was reported by one in nine adolescents (11.3 % for lifetime suicide attempts and 11.6 % for lifetime running away). Among those who reported the one behavior, a quarter also reported the other. Logistic regression analyses indicated that these behaviors share several common psychosocial correlates: family related (quality of parental relationships, parental monitoring), school related (poor performance and dissatisfaction), substance use, and emotional, psychological and behavioral problems. Gender was a significant correlate but in opposite directions for running away (more common among boys) and suicide attempts (more common among girls). Socioeconomic status was not a significant correlate for either behavior, possibly because the impact of the economic crisis on parents had not yet filtered down to their children in 2011 (the survey year). Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for timely interventions towards vulnerable youth and their families by identifying personal, familial and school factors associated with these two health- and life-compromising behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine self-care behaviors of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in the Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care behaviors measurement was administered to 215 patients, out of which 177 were eligible to participate (87 males). Patients, aged 30 years or more, were recruited through a university hospital day-clinic. Older patients (>65 years), as well as those with 'higher educational level' did not distribute their daily carbohydrate intake equally. Nevertheless, they were more likely to adapt to their physician's recommendations regarding medication and to regularly perform suggested blood glucose checking. Exercise patterns were more often found for higher educated, earlier diagnosed males. Younger patients were less likely to follow their healthcare professional's recommendations, regarding diet, medication intake, blood glucose checking, foot care and exercise compared to older patients. These results pose a higher risk for complications and morbidity in younger patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who most possibly will require intensive treatment in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexuality is part of human nature throughout life and a large amount among elders considers sexual function as an integral part in their life. The sample of our research consists of 265 participants, 60-85 years old. Data were collected by Sexual Satisfaction and Experience Questionnaire, demographics, medical history and individual interviews. According to ANOVA test, changes in the general sexual function during the last month were observed in dementia group compared to control group for both men and women ( p = 0.01). Furthermore, lower sexual activity between men among control and MCI participants has also been highlighted the previous month ( p = 0.038). Hence the ANOVA test showed statistical significant changes between controls and patients with mild dementia ( p = 0.021) and between MCI participants and patients with mild dementia ( p = 0.045) during the last year. These findings indicate that sexual activity is decreased in parallel with cognitive impairment. The importance given to sexual function during earlier years played an important role in the observed changes ( p = 0.01) and overall sexual action ( p = 0.01) during aging for both men and women in MCI and healthy participants. Those who reported that their sexual function have been changed negatively because of specific factors, highlighted disease status, medication and the partner, as the main factors for this change according to Related two samples test. According to results, elders' sexual activity is strongly depended on aging, gender and medical status. During the progress of cognitive decline, sexual activity is being reduced, especially among men who notice this deterioration at a great level compared to women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Greek teachers' perceptions related to the nature and management of autistic children. To investigate these issues, a statistically reliable number of questionnaires ( n = 228) was distributed to a diversified teacher population. The questionnaire responses were analyzed statistically to identify the explanatory power of critical independent variables. The research findings support that teachers' specialized training and working experience are critical inputs to improve teachers' perceptions and efficient serving of autistic children. A cumulative joint effect of teachers' previous specialized education and working experience working with autistic children was also indicated. This could be supportive of teachers upgrading their active leading role in team working with specialized scientific staff, parents and institutions on autistic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]