Search Results (45)

Background/Objectives: Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), particularly its aesthetic subcomponent (Aesthetic Sensitivity; AES), has been linked to individual differences in emotional processing. This study examined whether parental visual attention to emotional facial expressions predicts corresponding attentional patterns in their children, and whether this intergenerational concordance is mediated by child AES and moderated by child empathy. Methods: A sample of 124 Greek Cypriot parent–child dyads (children aged 7–12 years) participated in an eye-tracking experiment. Both parents and children viewed static emotional facial expressions (angry, sad, fearful, happy). Parents also completed questionnaires assessing their child’s SPS, empathy (cognitive and affective), and emotional functioning. Regression analyses and moderated mediation models were employed to explore associations between parental and child gaze patterns. Results: Children’s fixation on angry eyes was significantly predicted by parental fixation duration on the same region, as well as by child AES and empathy levels. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that the association between parent and child gaze to angry eyes was significantly mediated by child AES. However, neither cognitive nor affective empathy significantly moderated this mediation effect. Conclusions: Findings suggest that child AES plays a key mediating role in the intergenerational transmission of attentional biases to emotional stimuli. While empathy was independently associated with children’s gaze behavior, it did not moderate the AES-mediated pathway. These results highlight the importance of trait-level child sensitivity in shaping shared emotional attention patterns within families. Full article

Inclusion is among the greatest challenges worldwide for educational systems. The present study examines the attitudes towards inclusion of parents of neurotypical children attending inclusive mainstream primary schools in Cyprus and Greece. Moreover, it addresses potential links between parental inclusion attitudes and different aspects of inclusive education, such as accommodation of different special educational needs (SENs), willingness to establish contact with children with SENs and their families, and knowledge of the strengths and difficulties of children with SENs. The participants were 202 parents from Cyprus and 166 parents from Greece who filled in a 74-item questionnaire. The results indicated that both Greek and Cypriot parents held good knowledge of the characteristics of children with SENs and positive attitudes towards the inclusion of children with SENs. Both groups of parents believed that certain disability categories can be more easily accommodated in mainstream schools. Parental beliefs towards inclusion were found to moderately predict attitudes towards the accommodation of SENs, willingness to develop and maintain social contact with the families of children with SENs, and ability attribution to children with SENs. This study suggests the importance of taking into account parental factors to improve attitudes and behaviors towards inclusion. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Distress Thermometer for Parents represents an excellent tool for the rapid assessment of emotional distress in parents of children with a variety of chronic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Distress Thermometer for Parents in assessing emotional distress in parents and caregivers of children with feeding and swallowing difficulties feeding swallowing disorders or, dysphagia, in the Greek Cypriot community. Methods: It involved 200 Greek Cypriot participants: 100 parents/caregivers of children with FSD and 100 parents/caregivers of children without such difficulties. Demographic and clinical data were collected and test–retest reliability was evaluated. Results: The DT-P demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.928) and strong test–retest consistency (r = 1.00, p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed strong discrimination for detecting distress, with an AUC of 0.76 for parents of children under 24 months and 0.77 for parents of children over 2 years (p < 0.01). Parents reported a medium level of distress (M = 3.67, SD = 2.89), with “Emotional Problems” (M = 2.03, SD = 2.28) and “Practical Problems” (M = 1.79, SD = 2.12) contributing most significantly. Independent t-tests revealed significantly higher distress levels in parents in the clinical group compared to the parents in the typical group (p < 0.001), confirming the DT-P’s sensitivity and validity. Conclusions: The Greek version of the DT-P is a reliable and valid tool assessing distress in parents of children with PFD. This study highlights significantly higher distress levels in these parents compared to those of typically developing children, emphasizing the need for targeted support. Full article

This study examined the pragmatic competence and awareness of L2 learners of English, with a focus on their request strategies in L2 English, levels of (in)directness, request perspective, internal and external modifications, and the impact of tasks. The participants comprised 80 Cypriot Greek (CG) undergraduate students. The pragmatic tests were designed based on Speech Act Theory and included discourse completion tasks (DCTs) and multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs). Additionally, a role-play and an interview task were employed to assess L2 learners’ pragmatic competence in oral discourse. The tasks featured four conditions related to power and social distance: [+social distance, status equals], [−social distance, status equals], [+social distance, hearer dominance], and [−social distance, hearer dominance]. Overall, the results indicated that L2 learners of English tended to prefer conventionally indirect requests, suggesting that L1 linguistic and cultural backgrounds influence expressions of politeness. Face-threatening situations with a high degree of imposition elicited more conventionally indirect requests. Data analysis revealed contextual variation but not a clear task effect. Factors such as social distance, hearer dominance, power, familiarity, and imposition impacted the degree of (in)directness, request perspective, and both internal and external modifications. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Parents’ Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) questionnaire for Greek-speaking children aged 1 to 6 years. Key objectives included assessing the PEACH questionnaire’s reliability and validity and determining if children from Greece and Cyprus exhibit similar auditory performance, which would suggest they belong to a comparable population. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 87 children from monolingual Greek-speaking households in Greece (N = 38) and Cyprus (N = 49), all full-term with typical hearing and no cognitive or language deficits. The children’s ages ranged from 12 to 82 months. The study used an independent samples t-test to compare PEACH Overall Scores between Greek and Greek–Cypriot children. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlations for each country. Additionally, regression models examined the relationship between PEACH scores and age. Results: Greek–Cypriot children had significantly higher PEACH scores (92.09%) than Greek children (86.71%), t(85) = 2.31, p = 0.023. The Cronbach’s alpha for the Greek sample was 0.92, indicating a strong internal consistency, while the Greek–Cypriot sample had a lower alpha of 0.79, with item-total correlations ranging from 0.16 to 0.75. Normative curves showed that auditory performance in the Greek sample increased sharply until 40 months, then plateaued until 60 months. In contrast, the Greek–Cypriot sample’s scores rose sharply until 25 months and plateaued by 40 months. Conclusions: The Greek-translated PEACH questionnaire demonstrated strong reliability and construct validity for Greek children, consistent with other language adaptations. However, the Greek–Cypriot sample did not achieve similar reliability, and differences in scores suggest potential cultural, linguistic, or environmental factors impacting auditory development. These findings emphasize the importance of regional adaptations in standardized assessments. Further research is recommended to explore factors contributing to these differences for more accurate assessments of Greek-speaking children. Full article

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were asked to stay at home. Places where people interacted such as schools, universities, and cafes were closed, and all gatherings were forbidden. Only stores offering fast-moving consumer goods were open, so citizens could purchase all food categories. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the eating and buying habits of consumers in Cyprus and Greece, and any changes in their lifestyles. Methods: An online survey including 1011 participants took place using an electronic questionnaire. Results: The results showed that lockdown significantly affected individuals by increasing weight gain (p < 0.01). The explanatory investigation of related lifestyle habits and nutrition traits showed that the dietary patterns behind these changes included increased meal frequency (p < 0.05)—even without an increased appetite—and subsequent increases in both purchases (p < 0.05) and consumption of several food groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, even though exercise per se was not discontinued due to COVID-19, it was apparent that exercise type was altered to adapt to the relevant restrictions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the COVID-19 lockdown significantly affected Cypriots and Greeks in many aspects like their eating behavior, food purchasing habits, and lifestyle, all resulting in increased weight and potentially adverse health outcomes. Full article

Carob syrup, a traditional Mediterranean functional beverage obtained from Ceratonia siliqua (L.) pods, has been historically valued for its nutritional properties but is currently underutilized. This study compared the prebiotic potential of three handmade carob syrups produced by Tunisian women with commercial benchmarks from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. The prebiotic activity was evaluated by prebiotic scores, bifidogenic activity and volatilome characterization (SPME GC/MS) together with physicochemical and nutritional parameters. The results showed that Tunisian handmade products exhibited lower growth of pathogenic Escherichia coli compared to commercial samples. The prebiotic activity, tested against probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria mixtures, showed a hierarchy of efficacy: fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs) > Tunisian handmade products > Greek and Cypriot benchmarks > Italian benchmark. Volatilome analysis revealed about 40 compounds, mainly organic acids and aldehydes, with higher concentrations in handmade products. Positive correlations were found between prebiotic activity and short-chain fatty acids and n-hexadecanoic acid, while furfural showed negative correlations. The Tunisian artisanal products showed a higher prebiotic potential compared to the commercial counterparts, due to their higher content and diversity of organic acids. However, the presence of furfural in Tunisian products needs to be monitored due to potential toxicity concerns. Full article

Background: Obesity and related health challenges remain significant concerns in Cyprus and Greece. Mindful eating (ME) has emerged as a behavioral approach to address these issues, yet its relationship with BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration in Mediterranean populations is underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to examine associations between ME subcategories (Awareness, Distraction, Disinhibition, Emotional, and External Cues), BMI, vitamin D levels, and sleep duration among Cypriot and Greek adults across two cohorts. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with data collected in 2022 (N₁ = 438) and 2023 (N₂ = 174). Participants completed the validated Cyprus Mindful Eating Questionnaire (CyMEQ). Vitamin D levels, sleep duration, and BMI were self-reported. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U Tests for ME subcategory comparisons, chi-square tests for categorical variables, and Spearman correlations to examine associations. Results: Significant differences were found between cohorts in ME subcategories, with N₁ scoring higher in Awareness [Median (IQR): 2.60 (2.20–3.00) vs. 2.00 (1.80–2.30), p = 0.02], Disinhibition [2.70 (2.50–3.00) vs. 2.50 (2.20–2.70), p = 0.03], and External Cues [2.50 (2.10–2.90) vs. 2.10 (1.80–2.50), p = 0.01]. ME scores were negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.25, p = 0.01) and positively associated with vitamin D levels and sleep duration. Differences in vitamin D supplementation practices were observed across groups; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Conclusions: ME behaviors, particularly Awareness and Disinhibition, are associated with BMI, highlighting their potential in obesity management. The interplay between ME, vitamin D, and sleep underscores the need for integrative health interventions in Mediterranean populations. Full article

Many studies have shown that COVID-19 caused many problems in mental health. This paper presents the results of the Cyprus sample, part of the global initiative named “The Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times” (COH-FIT). Methods: The study took place from April 2019 to January 2022, using the Greek version of the online standard COH-FIT questionnaire on 917 Cypriot adults. Weighted t-tests were applied to test the differences between pre-pandemic and intra-pandemic scores using the anesrake package. Results: Participant responses indicated a significant negative impact of the pandemic on measures of mental health (−7.55; 95% CI: −9.01 to −6.07), with worsening in the scores for anxiety (12.05; 95% CI: 9.33 to 14.77), well-being (−11.06; 95% CI: −12.69 to −9.45) and depression (4.60; 95% CI: 2.06 to 7.14). Similar negative effects were observed for feelings of anger (12.92; 95% CI: 10.54 to 15.29), helplessness (9.66; 95% CI: 7.25 to 12.07), fear (22.25; 95% CI: 19.25 to 25.26), and loneliness (12.52; 95% CI: 9.94 to15.11). Increased use of social media (0.89; 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.09), internet (0.86; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.04), and substance consumption (0.06; 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.11) were reported, along with a significant decrease in physical health (−3.45; 95% CI: −4.59 to −2.32), self-care (−7.10; 95% CI: −9.00 to −5.20), and social function (−11.27; 95% CI: −13.19 to −9.35), including support (−0.72; 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.34) and family function (−7.97; 95% CI: −9.90 to −6.05). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the daily life and emotional well-being of Cypriots. Identifying factors that influence vulnerability and resilience is essential to prioritize mental health support and address the long-term effects of the pandemic. Full article

Background: Identification of auditory processing disorders is achieved using questionnaires along with linguistic, non-linguistic, and auditory processing tests. Notably, the questionnaires “Children’s Auditory Performance Scale” (CHAPS) and “Auditory Processing Domain Questionnaire” (APDQ) are widely recognized and used. The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the CHAPS and APDQ in Greek Cypriot children. Methods: The CHAPS and APDQ questionnaires were completed by parents of 40 Greek Cypriot children, 16 typically developing (TD) children, and 24 children with a history of Speech Sound Disorders (SSDs). Results: There were significant differences between the two groups on both questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated at α = 0.922 for the CHAPS total score and α = 0.926 for the APDQ total score. The Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis provided a cut-off point equal to −0.30 (AUC 0.849, p < 0.001) for CHAPS and a cut-off point equal to 90.00 (AUC 0.820, p < 0.001) for APDQ. Significant positive Spearman ρ correlations were observed between the CHAPS and APDQ (ρ = 0.639, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The CHAPS and APDQ can identify distinct auditory processing characteristics between in children with SSDs and TD children. Full article

Background: Although the treatment of sepsis has advanced during the past 20 years there is still a high incidence and high mortality, which make sepsis one of the leading public health problems. Adequate knowledge of sepsis and the sepsis guidelines is still the most important pillar for nurses because of the long time they spend with critically ill patients. Given their frontline role in patient care, nurses are pivotal in early sepsis recognition, timely intervention, and ensuring adherence to treatment protocols. Aim: This study aimed to investigate nursing students’ knowledge of sepsis and the symptoms of sepsis, and to compare the results of nursing students from several European universities (Croatia, Cyprus, Greece). Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, with a sample of 626 undergraduate nursing students from Croatian, Cypriot, and Greek universities from 2022 to 2023. Demographic features (gender, age, employment, year of study) and a questionnaire provided by Eitze et al. were utilized as instruments. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the countries (F_(2.625) = 4.254, p = 0.015) in average knowledge about sepsis, with Scheffe’s post hoc test indicating that the Cypriot students had a higher average knowledge than the Greek students (p = 0.016), while students from neither country were significantly different from Croatian students (both p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed the still limited knowledge of nursing students and the differences among the educational programs for nursing students. The educational curricula of nursing studies should increase the number of sepsis lectures and use innovative techniques. Full article

In this article, we explore the ways language has been used in Cyprus during different historical periods as a means of a dividing power, with the use of Cypriot dialects as a form of resistance and reunification of the island. We situate these translanguaging themes within a context of affective biopolitics that impacts Cypriot generations in shaping their everyday life through borderscapes and nationalisms. More specifically, we first examine how the official languages of the island (Greek and Turkish) have been used in the dominant public sphere(s) of Cyprus to marginalise Cypriot dialects, which, in turn, have been used as an oral means of communication, but also to impose symbolic signifiers of the biopolitics of borders and nationalisms in dividing communities. Secondly, we explore ways in which Cypriot dialects have been used as forms of linguistic resistance to nationalism, offering an alternative collective identity for generations of both communities, even during periods when nationalism was dominant in both communities. The translanguaging exploration centres on a close discourse analysis of one particular radio programme—the ‘Cypriot radio sketch’—that has been very popular among Cypriots since the appearance of radio in Cyprus in 1953. Finally, we analytically and discursively contextualise attempts of revival of the Cypriot dialects by younger generations as communicative forms of resistance to powers of partition, as well as translanguaging pathways to actualise their desire for the reunification of the island. We eclectically draw on a multi-method approach to combine datasets from interviews, media and social media while combining critical discourse analysis to theorise the affordances, borderscapes and affective biopolitics of generational language use within geographies of nationalism and resistance in the borderscapes of a divided Cyprus. Full article

During times of war, displaced families carry various material items that later serve as means for preserving the memories of lost homes and maintaining a sense of identity. In divided Cyprus, the use of material objects by people displaced before and during the 1974 Turkish invasion has been influenced by the opening of checkpoints between the two sides in 2003. This paper explores how different generations in my family reacted to and interpreted the rediscovery of a lost material item—a handmade mirror piece—during the return journey. It discusses how my mother located the item, photographed it, and placed its photograph in the family’s photographic archive. During the research project upon which this paper follows from, both items re-emerged through my mother’s storytelling about her experience of return, transforming the project into a form of intergenerational transmission. The paper portrays how the storytelling about the mirror piece and its photograph was interpreted differently by me and my mother, influenced by the different politics of memory. The paper also showcases the resourcefulness of refugee families in maintaining the memory of their lost homes, which simultaneously reveals their views and hopes regarding the political future of the island. Full article

Associations between subjective well-being (SWB) and dietary habits, employment status, and habitual activities are increasingly capturing the focus of researchers as well as policymakers worldwide. This study aimed to explore these associations in a sample of the population in Greece and Cyprus via an online survey. In total, 936 questionnaires (470: Cyprus, 466: Greece) were analyzed to study the associations between the Mediterranean Diet (MD) (using the 14-item MEDAS score, (14-MEDAS)), subjective well-being (SWB), and several socioeconomic factors. Key remarks of this survey highlight the positive impact of MD adherence on some well-being items. Namely, statistically significant differences were found on the following items: Satisfied with life (p < 0.001), Life worthwhile (p < 0.001), Feeling happy (p < 0.001), worried (p = 0.005), and depressed (p = 0.001), when comparing Low MD adherence (14-MEDAS < 5) to High MD adherence (14-MEDAS > 10). Other lifestyle habits such as spending time with friends and family, spending time in nature, and habitual physical activity were associated with aspects of SWB such as Life satisfaction, Life worthwhile, Feeling happy, and energetic. The findings support adherence to the MD, since it is associated with higher life satisfaction and self-reported happiness in this sample and should be considered when developing health policies on well-being. Full article

Stroke is a global leading cause of death and disability. Knowledge of related guidelines is crucial for emergency department (ED) staff, influencing early diagnosis and timely treatment. We investigated Greek Cypriot ED healthcare professionals’ (nurses and physicians) knowledge in recognizing and managing stroke. A descriptive cross-sectional study spanned November 2019 to April 2020, encompassing four private and seven public EDs in the Republic of Cyprus. The data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire developed by the research team, consisting of 37 questions. Eight questions focused on sociodemographic and employment characteristics, twenty-eight assessed knowledge in stroke recognition and management (each item was equally weighted without deliberate prioritization), and one question addressed self-assessment of knowledge in stroke care. A total of 255 nurses (response rate (RR): 74.1%) and 26 physicians (RR: 47.3%) completed the questionnaire. The average correct response rate was 12.9 out of 28 statements (SD: 4.2), with nurses and physicians scoring 12.6 (SD: 4.1) and 15.7 (SD: 4), respectively. Work experience significantly influenced stroke knowledge, with all groups demonstrating superiority over those with less than one year of experience. Participants with previous training scored an average of 1.45 additional correct answers while educational attainment did not significantly influence stroke knowledge. Investigating stroke knowledge among emergency department nurses and physicians in the Republic of Cyprus revealed significant deficits. This study stresses targeted interventions, including education, yearly examinations, workshops with hands-on training, and repeated training, to address these gaps and enhance the overall stroke care capabilities of the healthcare professionals. Full article