Maria Zafiropoulou
UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, GREECE, Pre-school Education, Faculty Member
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their... more
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their adjustment to elementary school. 346 children took part in this 2-yr. longitudinal study. The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children was used to assess children's self-concept. Children's school adjustment was assessed using the schools' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional procedures. Children's self-concept appeared relatively stable and the decline in scores appeared to be practically unimportant. Analysis showed that children's school adjustment mainly affects the academic dimension of self-concept.
Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Developmental Psychology, Child Development, Socialization, and 13 moreChild Clinical Psychology, Medicine, Child Behavior, Humans, Child, Child Psychology, Perceptual motor skills, Social Adjustment, Self Concept, Age Factors, Educational Status, Personality Tests, and Child preschool
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The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their... more
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their adjustment to elementary school. 346 children took part in this 2-yr. longitudinal study. The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children was used to assess children's self-concept. Children's school adjustment was assessed using the schools' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional procedures. Children's self-concept appeared relatively stable and the decline in scores appeared to be practically unimportant. Analysis showed that children's school adjustment mainly affects the academic dimension of self-concept.
Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Developmental Psychology, Child Development, Socialization, and 13 moreChild Clinical Psychology, Medicine, Child Behavior, Humans, Child, Child Psychology, Perceptual motor skills, Social Adjustment, Self Concept, Age Factors, Educational Status, Personality Tests, and Child preschool
Research Interests: Program Evaluation, Psychology, Health Promotion, Food Science, Nutrition, and 15 moreCognition, Science, Diet, Food and Nutrition, Children, Advertisement, Intervention, Cognitive processes, Food Preference, Nutrition Education, Resistance to Change, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Emotional Response, Primary School Children, and Dietary Habits
Recent experimental studies indicate the importance of drawing process in determining the final shape of the drawn product. Emphasis has been given on short-term and working memory, visual perception, visuospatial encoding planning,... more
Recent experimental studies indicate the importance of drawing process in determining the final shape of the drawn product. Emphasis has been given on short-term and working memory, visual perception, visuospatial encoding planning, sequencing, and depiction of the third dimension. The above prerequisites are also necessary for the acquisition of reading and spelling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prereading and drawing abilities of kindergarten children. 20 boys and girls were selected from 1,237 kindergarten children, based on their performance on a set of drawing tasks. The drawings were used as tools to indicate the conditions under which deficiencies in the cognitive system become apparent. Those 20 children and 20 matched controls were again tested during their first three years in primary school. The reassessment on the first and third year included tasks on drawing as well as on reading and spelling (speed and accuracy) based on the curriculum. The results showed an effect of the same cognitive factors in both areas of knowledge. The cognitive deficiencies observed across tasks focused on the children's information processing and were apparent in both symbolic systems.
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Separate lines of research have linked negative parenting practices, victimization, and negative affectivity - separately - with internalizing symptoms in children. However, no previous studies have connected these lines of research to... more
Separate lines of research have linked negative parenting practices, victimization, and negative affectivity - separately - with internalizing symptoms in children. However, no previous studies have connected these lines of research to examine internalizing pathology in children. The current study tested complex moderated-mediation models to investigate the respective effects of victimization and negative affectivity on the relationship between parenting practices and internalizing symptoms. Greek-Cypriot children (N = 374) and their parents took part in the study. The children completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, the Negative Affect Scale for Children, and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Their parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist – Parent Report (CBCL). Moderated-mediation models highlighted that negative affectivity moderates the mediating effect of victimization on the relationship between parenting practices and internalizing symptoms. The research...
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ABSTRACT Research has linked parenting practices to the development of internalising symptoms in children. However, parenting practices cannot fully explain the evolution of internalising symptoms, as other factors seem to influence this... more
ABSTRACT Research has linked parenting practices to the development of internalising symptoms in children. However, parenting practices cannot fully explain the evolution of internalising symptoms, as other factors seem to influence this process. Two specific factors identified in separate lines of research are victimisation and child behavioural inhibition. The current study examined moderated-mediation models to investigate the respective effects of victimisation and behavioural inhibition on the relationship between parenting practices and internalising symptoms. The study included 374 children and their parents. The children completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, the Behavioural Inhibition Instrument, and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Their parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist. The study results highlighted that behavioural inhibition moderates the mediating effect of victimisation on the relationship between parenting practices and internalising symptoms. The study findings contribute to the existing literature and advance our understanding of children’s internalising symptoms development.
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IntroductionDeath is a matter of grievous concern for children of all ages, except for those in very early childhood. It fills them with numerous questions about its nature and effects, and often causes them awe and fear. Relative... more
IntroductionDeath is a matter of grievous concern for children of all ages, except for those in very early childhood. It fills them with numerous questions about its nature and effects, and often causes them awe and fear. Relative literature describes death as the hidden cause of any pain (1), or as most predictable, though sad and unexpected (2). Usually, looking for answers about death emerges during the stormy years of adolescence (2).The way each child perceives death depends on its cognitive, emotional and physical developmental stage. The three main aspects of death, namely universality, irreversibility and non-functionality, are understood as children grow older. Speece and Brent (3) in their in-depth literature review found many differences among researchers dealing with this issue. However, they concluded that, by the age of 7, most children have come to understand the above mentioned three concepts.According to many researchers, learning about loss, death and lament can he...
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ABSTRACT The present study assessed the impact that children with intellectual disabilities have on their mothers' self-esteem. It also examined the differences in self-esteem between mothers of children with intellectual... more
ABSTRACT The present study assessed the impact that children with intellectual disabilities have on their mothers' self-esteem. It also examined the differences in self-esteem between mothers of children with intellectual disabilities and mothers of non-disabled children. The study sample consisted of 50 mothers of children with intellectual disabilities living in Central Greece and a comparison group of 50 mothers of non-disabled children. Two instruments were used for the data collection: (a) a questionnaire for biographic information and (b) an adaptation of the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory. Results indicated significantly lower self-esteem for the mothers of children with intellectual disabilities. Moreover, the best predictor of maternal self-esteem in the disabled group was the size of the family.
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This study presents a psycho-educational intervention using cognitive-behavioral techniques to modify and improve thinking strategies as well as facilitate behavioral adjustment and generalization of strategy use in children with learning... more
This study presents a psycho-educational intervention using cognitive-behavioral techniques to modify and improve thinking strategies as well as facilitate behavioral adjustment and generalization of strategy use in children with learning disabilities attending mainstream schools. One hundred and twenty Greek pupils in 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th grade were treated under four different conditions: psycho-educational intervention, self-instruction training, attention control, and no treatment. Results indicated that the psycho-educational intervention program was clearly superior to the other conditions, producing meaningful and lasting effects on par-ticipants' cognitive skills and strategies and a significantly heightened sense of academic self-esteem. Improved task performance was also evident in a 7-month follow-up assessment. Children's academic achievement (writing, reading and mathematics performance as rated by their teachers) also improved satisfactorily compared to that of controls.
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Dysfunctional cognitive schemata and pessimistic explanatory styles are usually held responsible for some of the commonest features of depressed mood such as feelings of meaninglessness, resignation, and underachievement which seem to... more
Dysfunctional cognitive schemata and pessimistic explanatory styles are usually held responsible for some of the commonest features of depressed mood such as feelings of meaninglessness, resignation, and underachievement which seem to affect even young children. This pilot study investigates the applicability and efficacy of an interactive, creative psycho-educational program for preschoolers that aims at enhancing mastery and shaping optimistic explanatory styles. Twenty preschoolers participated in once-a-week hourly sessions which took place in their school and lasted for one school year. The intervention consisted of several playful tasks and novel creative activities specially designed to meet the needs and abilities of preschoolers, while satisfying the objectives of the school curriculum. The tasks were based on the principles of cognitive behaviour theory. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of our results support the efficacy of the intervention for preschoolers.
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Dysfunctional cognitive schemata and pessimistic explanatory styles are usually held responsible for some of the commonest features of depressed mood such as feelings of meaninglessness, resignation, and underachievement which seem to... more
Dysfunctional cognitive schemata and pessimistic explanatory styles are usually held responsible for some of the commonest features of depressed mood such as feelings of meaninglessness, resignation, and underachievement which seem to affect even young children. This pilot study investigates the applicability and efficacy of an interactive, creative psycho-educational program for preschoolers that aims at enhancing mastery and shaping optimistic explanatory styles. Twenty preschoolers participated in once-a-week hourly sessions which took place in their school and lasted for one school year. The intervention consisted of several playful tasks and novel creative activities specially designed to meet the needs and abilities of preschoolers, while satisfying the objectives of the school curriculum. The tasks were based on the principles of cognitive behaviour theory. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of our results support the efficacy of the intervention for preschoolers.
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Death and loss are undoubtedly some of the most emotionally painful events in a child’s life. The research questions dealt with in this study are a) whether familiarisation with loss and death differs between children from urban and rural... more
Death and loss are undoubtedly some of the most emotionally painful events in a child’s life. The research questions dealt with in this study are a) whether familiarisation with loss and death differs between children from urban and rural regions and b) whether theatrical games dealing with loss of a loved one could facilitate familiarisation with the meaning of death. One hundred and ninety one 3rd grade school students from Greek urban and rural regions participated in the study. Children were divided in four groups (2 experimental and 2 control groups). Children in the experimental groups participated in a theatrical game with death as a subject, while control groups engaged themselves with artistic and sports activities. All participants were appropriately interviewed before and after the intervention. According to results children’s knowledge and familiarisation with death improved after implementation of the theatrical game.
... 182 E. Argyrakouü & M. Zafiropoulou than in mothers of non-disabled children (Beckman, 1983; Burden, 1980; Romans-Clarkson et al., 1986; Stores et al., 1998), fathers of children with disabilities (Sloper, Knussen ... All... more
... 182 E. Argyrakouü & M. Zafiropoulou than in mothers of non-disabled children (Beckman, 1983; Burden, 1980; Romans-Clarkson et al., 1986; Stores et al., 1998), fathers of children with disabilities (Sloper, Knussen ... All mothers lived in a large city in Central Greece (Larissa). ...
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Page 1. Comparison of reading errors made by first grade Greek students and English-speaking students with reading problems MARIA TH. PAPADOPOULOU University of Thessaly Volos, Greece MARIA ZAFIROPOULOU Institute ...
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The present study examined drawings on 5 tasks of 45 dyslexic and 45 nondyslexic children aged 6-9 years old. Children who show low performance in written language and phonological awareness are also expected to get low scores on drawing... more
The present study examined drawings on 5 tasks of 45 dyslexic and 45 nondyslexic children aged 6-9 years old. Children who show low performance in written language and phonological awareness are also expected to get low scores on drawing tasks which require similar skills such as comprehension of difference, coordination of parts in an organized whole, spatial movement, classification or distinction of figures. The present hypotheses were constructed accordingly. Analysis showed that the drawings of the dyslexic participants presented inadequate planning, difficulties in the depiction of contrast, size-scaling and canonicality, lack of details, and stereotypic depiction.
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Recent experimental studies indicate the importance of drawing process in determining the final shape of the drawn product. Emphasis has been given on short-term and working memory, visual perception, visuospatial encoding, planning,... more
Recent experimental studies indicate the importance of drawing process in determining the final shape of the drawn product. Emphasis has been given on short-term and working memory, visual perception, visuospatial encoding, planning, sequencing, and depiction of the third dimension. The above prerequisites are also necessary for the acquisition of reading and spelling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prereading and drawing abilities of kindergarten children. 20 boys and girls were selected from 1,237 kindergarten children, based on their performance on a set of drawing tasks. The drawings were used as tools to indicate the conditions under which deficiencies in the cognitive system become apparent. Those 20 children and 20 matched controls were again tested during their first three years in primary school. The reassessment on the first and third year included tasks on drawing as well as on reading and spelling (speed and accuracy) based on the curriculum. The results showed an effect of the same cognitive factors in both areas of knowledge. The cognitive deficiencies observed across tasks focused on the children's information processing and were apparent in both symbolic systems.
Research Interests:
According to Bowlby's theory of attachment, the role of early experience and parenting is of crucial importance to child development and mental health. In addition, several research findings suggest that parental bonding and different... more
According to Bowlby's theory of attachment, the role of early experience and parenting is of crucial importance to child development and mental health. In addition, several research findings suggest that parental bonding and different types of attachment play a crucial role in personality development. The present study examines the association between parental bonding experiences (lack of parental care, overprotection or both) and depression during adulthood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate different personality dimensions as possible mediators of the relation between perceptions of parental bonding and depressive symptoms in adult life. 181 participants (15- 49-years-old) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). The results show that lack of parental care and overprotection is linked with depressive symptoms and a number of personality characteristics, such as low ...
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Interaction among cognitive, meta-cognitive, and emotional factors seems to play a determining part in achievement behavior and especially in scholastic performance. In this study some preliminary results are presented of the... more
Interaction among cognitive, meta-cognitive, and emotional factors seems to play a determining part in achievement behavior and especially in scholastic performance. In this study some preliminary results are presented of the implementation of a multidimensional cognitive-behavioral psychoeducational program especially designed for students with reading disabilities in which parents and teachers also take part. The aim of the program was to provide students with appropriate emotional and cognitive skills with which to address their learning problems. First results on the efficacy of the implemented program to 20 primary school boys and girls with special reading disabilities encourage research on management of learning problems with focus on cognitive and emotional aspects in which parents and teachers contribute. Research including a control group is necessary.
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The increasing use of computers and the internet - especially among young people - apart from its positive effects, sometimes leads to excessive and pathological use. The present study examined the relationship among the excessive use of... more
The increasing use of computers and the internet - especially among young people - apart from its positive effects, sometimes leads to excessive and pathological use. The present study examined the relationship among the excessive use of the internet by university students, the alexithymia components and sociodemographic factors associated with internet users and their online activities. 515 university students from the University of Thessaly participated in the study. Participants anonymously completed: a) the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), b) the Toronto Alexithymia Test (TAS 20) and c) a questionnaire covering various aspects of internet use and demographic characteristics of internet users. Excessive use of the internet among Greek university students was studied within a multi-factorial context and was associated with the alexithymia and demographic factors in nonlinear correlations, forming thus a personalized emotional and demographic profile of the excessive internet users.
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This study describes qualitatively a psychoeducational assertiveness intervention for 20 women's perceptions of positive and negative experiences, undertaken to identify whether therapeutic mechanisms operating in group... more
This study describes qualitatively a psychoeducational assertiveness intervention for 20 women's perceptions of positive and negative experiences, undertaken to identify whether therapeutic mechanisms operating in group therapy as described by Yalom might be inferred. There were 14 90-min. weekly sessions organized around educational material. Two groups were conducted with 10 university women each (M= 20.9 yr., SD= 1.9). Qualitative analysis of the 20 interviews identified five of Yalom's therapeutic mechanisms, namely, self-understanding, universality, acceptance, catharsis, and self-disclosure. The positive experiences were group cohesiveness, self-understanding, self-disclosure, positive views about the self and learning, and cognitive benefits. Self-disclosing at the early stages of group development was the most frequently reported negative experience or difficulty in the group. Although participants stated they improved interpersonal communication skills, analysis suggested the cultural context was an important mediator of assertive behavior.
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The aim of the present study was to examine the visuospatial perception, short-term working memory, and motor skills of children with special reading difficulties, using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, which can record visuomotor and... more
The aim of the present study was to examine the visuospatial perception, short-term working memory, and motor skills of children with special reading difficulties, using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, which can record visuomotor and memory skills, observe drawing processes, and detect deficiencies in specific skills. 306 right- and left-handed boys and girls, ages 6.6 to 9.6 yr. (102 with special reading difficulties, 102 normal readers, and 102 with general learning difficulties) comprised one experimental and two control groups, respectively. The task was to depict the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure under two conditions, copying and drawing it from memory. Analysis indicated that (a) difficulty of the depiction of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, especially from memory, sharply affects children's performance and (b) the experimental group's performance was significantly poorer than that of controls in both conditions. The results are discussed in view of the predictive value of certain motor and cognitive skill deficiencies of children with special reading difficulties.
Research Interests: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Psychometrics, Working Memory, Dyslexia, and 14 moreHumans, Child, Discrimination Learning, Orientation, Concept Formation, Female, Male, Perceptual motor skills, Short Term Memory, Reference Values, Psychomotor Disorders, Motor Skills, Psychomotor Performance, and Neuropsychological Tests
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The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept... more
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their adjustment to elementary school. 346 children took part in this 2-yr. longitudinal study. The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children was used to assess children's self-concept. Children's school adjustment was assessed using the schools' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional procedures. Children's self-concept appeared relatively stable and the decline in scores appeared to be practically unimportant. Analysis showed that children's school adjustment mainly affects the academic dimension of self-concept.
Research Interests:
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept... more
The present aim was to investigate changes in self-concept and self-concept stability during children's transition from kindergarten to primary school, and the relationship between children's self-concept and their adjustment to elementary school. 346 children took part in this 2-yr. longitudinal study. The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children was used to assess children's self-concept. Children's school adjustment was assessed using the schools' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional procedures. Children's self-concept appeared relatively stable and the decline in scores appeared to be practically unimportant. Analysis showed that children's school adjustment mainly affects the academic dimension of self-concept.
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... Parkin et al., 1997). The effectiveness of a health and nutrition education programme (Manios et al., 2002), in changing certain chronic disease risk factors, was assessed after a 6-year intervention period. This school-based ...
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Research Interests: Program Evaluation, Health Promotion, Food Science, Nutrition, Science, and 13 moreDiet, Food and Nutrition, Children, Advertisement, Intervention, Cognitive processes, Food Preference, Science and Technology Education, Resistance to Change, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Emotional Response, Primary School Children, and Dietary Habits
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In the present study we examined schizophrenic patients' lymphocytes sensitivity to the effects of external factors, such as hydrogen peroxide and gamma-irradiation and also their repair efficiency... more
In the present study we examined schizophrenic patients' lymphocytes sensitivity to the effects of external factors, such as hydrogen peroxide and gamma-irradiation and also their repair efficiency with the comet assay. Our results did no show any difference in basal levels of DNA damage between schizophrenic and normal populations. The slightly increased sensitivity of the schizophrenic population to the externally induced DNA damage compared to controls was not statistically significant. Also the small reduction in the DNA repair efficiency in schizophrenics in comparison to normal population was found to be not statistically significant. Finally, patients with heritable predisposition to schizophrenia did not show any difference in their response from the other schizophrenics.