Browsing by Person "Karatzias, A."

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Perceptions and experiences about chlamydia in young women in Scotland: Knowledge, condon use and access to health services: a pilot qualitative study
(British Psychological Society, 2006) Chouliara, Zo; Karatzias, A.; Goulbourne, Alison; Smart, H.
Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted infection that, despite being largely asymptomatic, can have serious effects on women's health, including inflammatory pelvic disease and even infertility. Despite recent increase in the rate of Chlamydia infection especially in young women, research in this area in the UK and Scotland in particular is rather limited. As a result our understanding of the views of this high-risk group regarding Chlamydia and measures to protect from infection (e.g. condom use) is very limited.. This on-going pilot study will focus on the views and experiences of young women in Scotland regarding Chlamydia. Twelve semi-structured individual interviews will be conducted with female university students, addressing knowledge about Chlamydia, views about use of condoms as protection against a Chlamydia infection and about access to sexual health services. It is envisaged that the findings will provide important information on this important health issue in a high-risk population group. It is anticipated that such issues will be examined in depth in the main study and that findings of the present research will inform future research and policy in this area.
Post-traumatic symptomology in parents of premature infants: a systematic review of the literature
(2007) Karatzias, A.; Chouliara, Zo; Maxton, F.; Freer, Y.; Power, K. G.
The emotional distress resulting from the experience of giving birth to a preterm infant (gestational age <37 weeks) and the subsequent neonatal unit hospitalisation may be a traumatic experience for parents. In the present systematic literature review, studies on parental posttraumatic symptomatology following birth of a premature infant were reviewed. A total of 5 studies were indentified. All studies reviewed found that posttraumatic symptomatology is quite common in parents or primary caregivers of premature infants. However, methodological weaknesses of relevant studies (e.g. use of convenience samples, lack of pre-delivery assessments) make it difficult to draw consistent conclusions regarding prevalence of posttraumatic symptomatology in this population group or whether the experience of a premature birth could be responsible for the development of PTSD. Directions for future research are discussed.
Predicting general well-being from self-esteem and affectivity: An exploratory study with Scottish adolescents
(Springer Verlag, 2006-09-12) Karatzias, A.; Chouliara, Zo; Power, K. G.; Swanson, V.
The present study investigated the association between the personality constructs of self-esteem/affectivity and General Well-Being (GWB) in Scottish adolescents. A total of 425 secondary school pupils completed the P.G.I. General Well-Being Scale [Verma et al. Ind J. Clin. Psychol. 10 (1983) 299], the Hare Self-esteem Scale (HSES) [Hare, The Hare General and Area-Specific (School, Peer, and Home) Self-esteem Scale. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Sociology, SUNY Stony Brook, New York, mineo, 1985] and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) [Watson et al. J Personal Soc Psychol 54 (1988a) 1063]. Combined self-esteem, positive and negative affectivity, age and gender accounted for 49.7% of the total GWB variance, 24.9% of the physical well-being variance, 41.6% of the mood/affect well-being variance, 33.3% of the anxiety well-being variance and 44.3% of the self/others well-being variance. Home self-esteem was found the strongest predictor of mood/affect and self/others well-being domains as well as well-being total. It was also the second best predictor of anxiety well-being domain. School self-esteem was the strongest predictor of physical well-being, whereas negative affectivity was the strongest predictor of anxiety well-being domain. However age and gender were not significantly associated with GWB, total or domain specific. The study adds to previous evidence regarding the high association between GWB and personality factors in adult and adolescent populations. Directions for future research are discussed.
Psychological factors associated with skin exposure and skin protection in the UK. The case of young people: an overview of selected literature.
(British Psychological Society, 2007) Chouliara, Zoe; Karatzias, A.
The damaging effects of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g. sunbathing and use of sunbeds) have been well-documented in Previous research. These include skin cancer, eye damage, photodermatosis and premature skin ageing. Young people run higher risk than other age groups for UV-related health damage. We provide an overview of previous literature on factors associated with skin exposure and skin protection behaviours. There is limited research on attitudes, beliefs and behaviour regardin UVR exposure realted behaviours, especially the use of sunbeds. Despite their increased risk from UV exposure, UK studies have rarely focused on young people. Finally, previous research has focused on health beliefs as predictors of sun protection / sun exposure at the expense of other potentially significant factors e.g. appearance concern and proneness to depression. The findings are discussed in the light of directions for future research.
Views and experiences of young women about: knowledge, condom use and access to health.
(British Psychological Society, 2009) Chouliara, Zoë; Karatzias, A.; Goulbourne, Alison; Smart, H.
The study aimed to elicit perceptions of and awareness about chlamydia, views and experiences of condom use as protection against a chlamydia infection and of access to sexual health services. This qualitative study utilised semi-structured individual interviews. The sample consisted of 12 young females, aged between 18 and 25 years old. Transcripts were analysed using IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) to identify recurrent themes and their interlinks. Six themes were identified: Facts versus risk misjudgement; social stigma and taboos; assertiveness versus fear of conflict; respect versus patronising; accessibility and discreteness; and targeting young people. An awareness of the shame, embarrassment and social stigma associated with sexual health and specifically chlamydia testing and diagnosis were central in participants' accounts. Participants also emphasised the need for effective sex education, especially for young women. It is envisaged that findings have the potential to inform health education, policy and clinical practice regarding sexually transmitted infections and chlamydia in particular.