Developmental and Adolescent Health

Special learning difficulties: The situation in Greece, compared to the European and international context

2022-07-24T15:21:47+00:00

The term "special learning difficulties" (SLDs) is used to describe intrinsic disorders that make the learning process difficult. These disorders may relate to a single cognitive or functional field, or more. Their early diagnosis by a team of experts is particularly important, as it can largely determine a person's learning path. The aim is to participate in intervention programmes that teach students to manage their difficulties and develop alternative ways of learning according to their abilities.

We present an overview of the definitions, epidemiological data and classification of SLDs. We are referring to the evaluation process in Greece and present our conclusions from articles that study the symptoms, the possible causes, the ways of intervention as well as the comorbidity related to SLDs. Next, we present international approaches in the field of SLDs as well as new approaches that will lead to future planning.

Nutrition and health implications of preterm children born to adolescent mothers

2022-09-21T12:21:00+00:00

Preterm birth is one of the most important determinants of adverse infant outcomes, in terms of survival and quality of life. Adolescent pregnant is among the factors that are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. However, despite its significant contribution, this age group has not received sufficient attention in efforts to prevent and reduce the burden of preterm births. The current efforts are generalized to all age groups and do not consider that adolescents have special age requirements even before becoming pregnant. This literature review summarizes some of the key nutrition and health challenges in pregnant adolescent that are linked to preterm birth as well as possible acute and chronic nutritional and health challenges to their preterm children. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE were searched using keywords such as “adolescent”, “health,” “preterm”, “Teen mothers”, “nutrition” “preterm birth” and pertinent articles (N = 74) were retrieved and reviewed. Due to maternal young age, preterm children of adolescent mothers also have high risk of suffering from short and long adverse health and nutritional problems. Female adolescents should not only be viewed from one angle of growing girls but also as part of women of the reproductive age group. They should not receive any less of the benefits of this age group that include adequate education about reproductive health, pregnancy nutrition and use and choice of contraceptives.

Limitations on Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors and Intervention Programs: A Review of Literature

2022-08-30T11:13:48+00:00

Purpose: Pediatric cancer survivors have been increased through the last decades, while scientists conduct studies in order to discover new treatments and ameliorate survivors’ quality of life. Physical activity consists an important factor with multiple benefits for the overall health of Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCSs). However, CCSs are not following the suggested guidelines and they are defined by low physical performance. The aim of this review was to highlight the reasons survivors neglect exercise and how intervention programs benefit them.

Methods: Search was conducted for studies published between 2002 to 2021 in four databases (PubMed, Goggle Scholar, Cochrane Library and Research Gate). All studies were in English language. All articles were either descriptive or intervention research and provided results according to survivors’ physical activity and specifically related to the barriers, preferences and benefits.

Results: Results showed that survivors face mostly physical and psychological barriers that discourage them from exercise. Intervention programs showed significant improvement in several aspects of CCSs’ physical and mental health and social life. While some survivors are not particularly active, they reported willingness to improve not only the level of physical performance but also several unhealthy habits.

Conclusion: Appropriate guidance and specialized framing by professionals are crucial not only for CCSs but also their families. Further research is necessary in order to reassess and ameliorate beneficial policies and promote Public Health for CCSs.

Life satisfaction and Early Maladaptive Schemas in children in residential care

2022-09-12T08:11:51+00:00

Life satisfaction is the degree to which a person positively evaluates the overall quality of life. The aim of the present study is to illustrate the levels of life satisfaction both in total and per domain and to investigate the relationship of EMS and EMS domains with life satisfaction in children living in residential care. Sixty six children (51,5% were girls) with mean age 12.9 ±2,4 participated in our study. Participants of our study were children and adolescents that were referred to the Day Center “The house of the Child” and lived in caring homes of “ the Smile of the Child”. The Greek version of the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale and the Greek version of the Schema Questionnaire for Children were administered to children. Highest scores of life satisfaction were presented by satisfaction with friends and lowest by satisfaction with family contact. Life satisfaction was inversely predicted by EMS: a) Emotional Inhibition, b) Enmeshment, c) Vulnerability to Harm and d) Abandonment and by domains of EMS: a) Disconnection/Rejection and b) Overvigilance/Inhibition. Regarding life satisfaction, it was observed negative correlation with age and no gender differences were observed for life satisfaction and EMS. We suggest the extension of the study to broader samples including evaluations regarding psychopathology. Through the knowledge on cognitive processes and dysfunctional patterns, it is possible that the dynamic process of their consolidation will be better understood and more appropriate and developmentally oriented intervention will be created.

The Sexualization of Adolescent Girls Via Influencing on Social Media: Literature Review

2023-04-09T12:14:55+00:00

Teenagers spend a significant portion of their day on social media, where they are always "connected" to read and be informed about their friends' latest projects and those of other celebrities. The so-called "influencers," who are the newest trend in online marketing and hold the power to influence their followers, now dominate social networking sites.

Young people try to rediscover themselves during adolescence through the various changes they go through. They thus frequently assess their own social status by comparing it to that of others. Adolescent girls are pushed to adopt an objectified view of themselves by the images and beauty standards displayed on social media and by social stereotypes surrounding women. Additionally, the phenomenon of sexualization is observed, where children are told that in order to be liked by their peers, they must emphasize their sexual attractiveness. The literature review led to the conclusion that there is a strong connection between the sexualization of adolescent girls and the sexualized role models that are promoted on social media. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that these can result in low self-esteem, depression, eating disorders, and early sexual activity. These results show how serious this phenomenon is on a large scale and can be a valuable tool for experts, who can use them to make the right interventions, so that to manage and prevent the occurrence of these behaviors.